Drexel looks to rebound from two down seasons

Record in 2015: 3-15-1 overall, 2-6-0 in Colonial Athletic Association
Head Coach: Doug Hess (seventh season)
Key Losses: Francisco Palma, Nick Bolton
Key Returners: Midfielders Erik Alexandersson, Lorenz Walbert, Colin McGlynn and Dakota Peterson, forwards Tristan Thompson, Xavier Bou Hernandez and Aaron Thompson and defender Jameson Detweiler
Key Additions: Forward Carlos Cuevas, defenders Eden Ben Hemo and Martin Farias
MLS Academy Players: Dakota Peterson (Colorado Rapids), Carlos Cuevas (Orlando City) and Connor Ryan (Philadelphia Union)
Key Matches: St. John’s away (Aug. 26), La Salle away (Aug. 30), Temple home (Sept. 13), Delaware home (Sept. 28), Hofstra away (Oct. 12) and UMBC home for senior day (Oct. 25)

After a second straight losing season, the Drexel Dragons will look to a core of experienced players and a couple key newcomers to lead the team this season.

Boasting a diverse lineup with players hailing from Israel, Ghana, Germany, Spain, Australia, Tunisia, Sweden, Trinidad & Tobago and Guatemala, head coach Doug Hess’s team will be led by preseason all conference midfielder Erik Alexandersson and other key returners like midfielders Colin McGlynn and Dakota Peterson, defender Jameson Detweiler and the Thompson brothers - Aaron and Tristan - in the attack.

McGlynn led the team in goals last season with four and Alexandersson was tied for second with two with Francisco Palma, who left the team after his freshman year. As a team, the Dragons only found the back of the net 12 times last season, were shut out 10 times and lost six games by 1-0 score lines.

Orlando City Academy graduate Carlos Cuevas, who scored a pair of goals in 25 appearances for Orlando’s U18 team last season, should help the attack and Israeli Eden Ben Hemo is a promising addition to a back line that conceded an average of two goals per game last season while conceding three or more goals in seven of their 15 losses.

Drexel’s season starts off on the road Friday against Big East team St. John’s. Their home opener is against Temple on Sept. 13.