After a stretch last year in which it went 0-7-1, the men’s soccer team had some evaluating to do. The team had just not come together the way head coach Jon Freeman had envisioned. Using an “us versus the world” mentality, the Eagles were able to win three out of their last four games.

Though they knocked off a few powerful Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponents, the wins were not enough to salvage the season. Ashland narrowly missed earning the final spot in the conference tournament.

If the Eagles are to carry the momentum from the end last season into 2012, they going to have to ingrain the mentality that they had into a large group of incoming players, and they’re going to have to do it fast.

Freeman welcomes 10 new players from four different countries into the fold.

Freshman Eric Ashley is a forward from Coventry High School in Akron. He scored 31 goals in his high school career and will look to contribute right away on a team that is desperate for goal scorers.

Evan Bader is a freshman goalkeeper from Norwalk High School. A multi-sport athlete in high school, Bader will begin the year third on the depth chart behind seniors Justin Nolan and Kurt Innes.

Dario Barthley is a transfer from Midwestern State who sat out his freshman year there. He is a talented defensive center midfielder who arrived a couple days late to campus because he was training with the Antigua-Barbuda under-20 national team.

“It’s very exciting that we were able to get a player of his caliber coming in and we’re looking forward to having him on board,” Freeman said.

Freshman Ryan Galley is a defensive player from Massillon High School.

Brian Goodall is an athletic player from Mansfield who Freeman says could see minutes if he works hard.

Freshman Mitch Griffiths is a wide midfielder with a good first touch who should be battling for minutes.

Lucas Hunt is a freshman from Stow High school with great potential.

Twin brothers Guilherme and Rafael Karaoglan are transfers from NAIA powerhouse Bethel who are extremely talented. Guilherme is a goal scorer while his brother is a left-footed player who is good with the ball and provides excellent service from the back.

Alex Liao is a walk-on who tried out for the team last spring and caught Freeman’s eye. He is a native of Beijing, China.

Brandon Lumsden is a freshman midfielder from Strongsville who is intelligent with the ball and strong technically.

Keiichi Nguyen is from New Zealand who is a friend of Kiwi Zaan Janse, who is in his second year on the team. Nguyen will provide valuable minutes in the midfield.

Another player who will be a valuable asset is sophomore forward Adam Mitchell from Brighton, England who was deemed ineligible last year because he took an extra year to complete college courses in England. A friend of Louis Clark – who scored 15 goals for the Eagles in 2010 before transferring to Syracuse – Mitchell will look to provide offensive firepower.

“Adam’s a bull in a china shop,” Freman said. “He’s very tough to handle up top.

If there is one thing the Eagles were lacking last year, it was offensive production. They scored just 20 goals in 18 games and were held scoreless for four straight games in the middle of the season. Finding forwards was a priority in the offseason, and Mitchell believes he will have some help from the incoming players, including the Karaoglans.

“Hopefully they’re what you would expect from some Brazilians,” he said.

Mitchell also says that the defense is looking “ridiculously solid” along with goalkeeper Nolan. The back line will be anchored by returning players Jamie Dollar, Alex Kemp, Mitch Deyhle and Max Rhoda. The key will be mixing the old with the new. Freeman is confident that his players are dedicated to starting a new legacy in

Ashland soccer.

“This is going to be a new team with a different attitude and a different approach,” he said.

The hardest part for Freeman might be choosing to put on the pitch. The group of incoming players is so talented that almost everyone is going to have to prove themselves, even those that saw playing time last year. This should provide for some competitive practices.

“You’ve just got to come in fit and work hard,” Ashley said. “Nothing comes easy.”

The Eagles begin their season Aug. 30 and Sept. 2 at the Slippery Rock Tournament, where they will play Slippery Rock and Mercyhurst. Their first GLIAC test will come in their first home game, Sept. 9 against Tiffin, the defending South division champions.