Drexel University Athletics
Dragons Honored For Sensational Season of CAA Soccer
11/15/2007 7:00:21 PM | Men's Soccer
Philadelphia, Pa. – Drexel men's soccer took the CAA by storm this season. After being picked to finish second-to-last in the preseason coaches poll, the Dragons got off to an astounding 6-0 start in conference play and rolled to a best-ever 8-2-1 finish in a tie for first place at the end of the regular season. The Colonial Athletic Association recognized Drexel's achievement by honoring Head Coach Lew Meehl as its Coach of the Year and naming six Dragons to All-Conference teams including Bryan Ruff (Enfield, Conn./Enfield), Fabio Assumpção (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Batsita Brasiliero), Anthony Bafile (West Chester, Pa./Henderson), Cory Robertson (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon), Pat McCaffery (Langhorne, Pa./La Salle) and Thiago Assumpção (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Sao Luis).
In one of the finest coaching performances in his 15 seasons at Drexel, Meehl molded his team into a cohesive unit that allowed just five goals in conference play and posted 10 shutouts on the season. Under Meehl's guidance, Drexel put up a 11-4-3 record in regular-season play, its best record since 1998. He also led the team to a share of the regular-season conference championship for the first time since 1995 and the first time ever as a member of the CAA. Meehl earned North Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year Honors in 1995 and is an eight time Philadelphia Soccer Seven Coach of the Year recipient.
One of the keys to Drexel's sensational defensive play this season is junior Bryan Ruff, who was honored with a place on the All-CAA First Team. Ruff's physical play set the tone for Drexel's back line, which gave up a conference-low five goals in CAA play and posted the best team goals against average in the conference. Ruff and the Drexel defense also helped minimize shots on goal, allowing Drexel's keepers to post 10 shutouts on the season.
Drexel's steady, ball-control offense, was led by midfielder Fabio Assumpção once again this season. Assumpção earned a place on the All-CAA Second Team for a second straight season after pacing the Dragons with five assists and one goal from his center midfield position. The talented ball handler helped direct a Drexel offense that score 20 goals for the first time since 2003.
The recipient of many of Assumpção's helpers was fellow sophomore Anthony Bafile who earned a spot on the All-CAA Third Team. In just his second season with the team, Bafile led the Dragons in goals (6), assists (6) and points (18). He helped supply the offense in every one of Drexel's conference victories, recording at least one point in each of the team's CAA triumphs. Bafile's six assists were the most for a Dragon since Jim Costello distributed 10 in 2001.
Also receiving All-CAA Third Team honors are keeper Cory Robertson and defender Pat McCaffery. Robertson was the beneficiary of Drexel's top-notch defense this season. While he was not tested as much as other keepers in the conference, Robertson proved that he was equal to the challenge whenever he was called upon to make a save. His 0.43 goals-against average is currently second in the nation and his .875 save percentage ranks him fourth among keepers nationally. Robertson also posted eight shutouts, seven in conference play, on the season.
McCaffery and his classmate Ruff were the keys to Drexel's defense. While Ruff was the physical intimidator, McCaffery played the role of the crafty defender perfectly. His skill with the ball and his ability to accurately serve long balls made the junior a dangerous player on the back line. McCaffery scored two goals and recorded an assist on the season, making him the leading scorer among Drexel defenders for a third straight season.
Drexel also placed one player on the All-Rookie Team for a second consecutive season. Last year it was Fabio Assumpção who took his place on the team of first-year all-stars. This season his brother Thiago Assumpção took his spot on the CAA All-Rookie Team. Thiago, who played next to his brother at center midfield and also pushed up to the striker position at times, recorded three assists and a goal on the season. His talent and creativity and ability to team with his brother to create offensive opportunities made him a valuable part of the team this season.
The Dragons enter CAA Tournament play for the first time in five years on Friday, Nov. 16 when they play fourth-seeded Towson at 5:00 p.m. Drexel's CAA semifinal contest precedes Old Dominion's meeting with VCU at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.
In one of the finest coaching performances in his 15 seasons at Drexel, Meehl molded his team into a cohesive unit that allowed just five goals in conference play and posted 10 shutouts on the season. Under Meehl's guidance, Drexel put up a 11-4-3 record in regular-season play, its best record since 1998. He also led the team to a share of the regular-season conference championship for the first time since 1995 and the first time ever as a member of the CAA. Meehl earned North Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year Honors in 1995 and is an eight time Philadelphia Soccer Seven Coach of the Year recipient.
One of the keys to Drexel's sensational defensive play this season is junior Bryan Ruff, who was honored with a place on the All-CAA First Team. Ruff's physical play set the tone for Drexel's back line, which gave up a conference-low five goals in CAA play and posted the best team goals against average in the conference. Ruff and the Drexel defense also helped minimize shots on goal, allowing Drexel's keepers to post 10 shutouts on the season.
Drexel's steady, ball-control offense, was led by midfielder Fabio Assumpção once again this season. Assumpção earned a place on the All-CAA Second Team for a second straight season after pacing the Dragons with five assists and one goal from his center midfield position. The talented ball handler helped direct a Drexel offense that score 20 goals for the first time since 2003.
The recipient of many of Assumpção's helpers was fellow sophomore Anthony Bafile who earned a spot on the All-CAA Third Team. In just his second season with the team, Bafile led the Dragons in goals (6), assists (6) and points (18). He helped supply the offense in every one of Drexel's conference victories, recording at least one point in each of the team's CAA triumphs. Bafile's six assists were the most for a Dragon since Jim Costello distributed 10 in 2001.
Also receiving All-CAA Third Team honors are keeper Cory Robertson and defender Pat McCaffery. Robertson was the beneficiary of Drexel's top-notch defense this season. While he was not tested as much as other keepers in the conference, Robertson proved that he was equal to the challenge whenever he was called upon to make a save. His 0.43 goals-against average is currently second in the nation and his .875 save percentage ranks him fourth among keepers nationally. Robertson also posted eight shutouts, seven in conference play, on the season.
McCaffery and his classmate Ruff were the keys to Drexel's defense. While Ruff was the physical intimidator, McCaffery played the role of the crafty defender perfectly. His skill with the ball and his ability to accurately serve long balls made the junior a dangerous player on the back line. McCaffery scored two goals and recorded an assist on the season, making him the leading scorer among Drexel defenders for a third straight season.
Drexel also placed one player on the All-Rookie Team for a second consecutive season. Last year it was Fabio Assumpção who took his place on the team of first-year all-stars. This season his brother Thiago Assumpção took his spot on the CAA All-Rookie Team. Thiago, who played next to his brother at center midfield and also pushed up to the striker position at times, recorded three assists and a goal on the season. His talent and creativity and ability to team with his brother to create offensive opportunities made him a valuable part of the team this season.
The Dragons enter CAA Tournament play for the first time in five years on Friday, Nov. 16 when they play fourth-seeded Towson at 5:00 p.m. Drexel's CAA semifinal contest precedes Old Dominion's meeting with VCU at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.
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