One season removed from losing two star players to Major League Soccer and falling short of the Big Ten Title, the Wolverines are back in their 10th year as a varsity program.

Just three games into the season, No. 22 Michigan has already taken down one top-25 team and started its charge toward its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

Young Guns

Even with nine true freshmen on the roster, Michigan men’s soccer coach Steve Burns is not surprised with the group’s on-field results. Three freshmen in particular have shined on a roster showing veteran characteristics.

“They really don’t have any fear in how they play,” Burns said.

Freshman Latif Alashe has started every game for the Wolverines at center midfield, filling the wide gap left by now-graduated Alex Morisset. Alashe's ability to control the middle of the field, along with a natural ability to get in the box and create offensive opportunities, gave him two goals during the exhibition schedule.

Freshman Kofi Opare has surprised the coaches with his versatility on the field. Recruited as a defender, the Niagara Falls, Ont. native has found himself playing everywhere from outside back to defensive midfielder to forward.

A help to Alashe in the middle of the field, freshman Hamoody Saad has provided cool composure for the team. The wide midfielder has a rare ability to control the tempo of the game.

“The game can be hectic around him, but once he can put his foot on the ball, everything is calm,” Burns said.

With so many talented freshmen, expect the Wolverines to make leaps and bounds as the season progresses and the young players gain experience.

Offense

With the loss of Marosevic, who had 13 goals last season, a space opened up for senior Mauro Fuzetti. The forward has leaped out of Marosevic’s shadow and provided much of the offense for the Wolverines, with two goals and an assist so far this year.

Coupled with Fuzetti up front is junior college transfer Justin Meram. The junior led Yavapai College to back-to-back national championships during his freshman and sophomore seasons and was named the 2008 National Junior College Player of the Year last year. Described as a “natural scorer” by Burns, the forward’s technical play should combine nicely with Fuzetti’s speed and flare for the game to create an exceptional offensive tandem.

Michigan will also have offensive depth with redshirt juniors Matt Schmitt and Cam Cameron and junior Chase Tennant. Tennant, back from a two-year Mormon mission trip and currently overcoming a lingering ankle injury, is only at 75 percent, but still scored the game winner against Drake on Friday. Cameron had two goals and four assists last season while Schmitt had one goal and seven assists.

With two big offensive threats in Fuzetti and Meram, other teams will have difficulty matching both players. Look for this pair to lead the team in scoring while also creating offensive opportunities for teammates.

Defense

After starting the regular season with a 5-0 loss to Notre Dame, the Wolverine defense has focused on being more aggressive and physical, a goal that Burns will continue to stress to his team as the season progresses.

“I thought coming out of preseason…that the strength of our team was our defense,” Burns said. “And then for Notre Dame to open us up the way they did in the second half was definitely concerning.”

Since the Sept. 1 Notre Dame loss, the Wolverine defense has allowed just seven shots on goal in two games.

Anchored by fifth-year senior captain Danny Gray, the defense is filled by strong, dominant players such as junior Adam Keller and senior Julian Robles.

New in the net for Michigan is redshirt sophomore Chris Blais, who has improved each year with the Wolverines.

“He’s confident,” Burns said. “He’s sure-handed.”