The Hoyas unleashed their formidable attack in front of a 500-strong crowd at North Kehoe Field last Sunday, concluding the preseason with a 4-0 wipeout of George Mason.

Two goals from sophomore right-winger Seth C’deBaca, coupled with a goal and an assist from junior midfielder Scott Larrabee and a goal from sophomore forward Jose Colchao brought the blue-and-gray clad supporters to their feet in a matchup that was worth the whole 90 minutes.

It was Colchao who put the Hoyas on the board in the 15th minute of play, knocking a deflection on his first touch into the back of the net.

C’deBaca grabbed the next two goals, trapping long deliveries from freshman forward Uche Onyeador in the 28th minute and Larrabee in the 65th and putting them home.

Larrabee finished the scoring with just seven minutes left in the game, taking the Hoyas to 4-0 and putting the game high out of Mason’s reach.

Head Coach Brian Wiese was cautiously optimistic yesterday about the way the Blue and Gray ended the preseason with a bang.

“We had some moments of some very, very good soccer in the game,” Wiese said. “I hope it’s an indicator of what this season’s going to look like.”

For the coach, the preseason was a trial period to experiment with various combinations on the playing positions on the field. Grueling double-practices in the mid-August heat, coupled with exhibition games against two well-ranked teams has helped the team maintain an intense level of fitness, as well helped the players recognize each other’s playing style.

The team’s “chemistry,” as emphasized over and over again by Wiese, will be one of the key elements in the potential success of the Hoyas’ upcoming season, and the preseason gave the coach an opportunity to mix up the old hands with some new blood to concoct the perfect potion for success.

“Thankfully, our team goes a lot deeper than just the starting 11,” Wiese said. “The good thing about this team is that, compared to last year, they’re a much more veteran team.” Having graduated just two players, forward Mike Glaccum (MSB ’08) and goalkeeper Joe Devine (MSB ’08), the team has the luxury of being familiar with most of each other’s style of play.

The coach mentioned the likes of Colchao and senior midfielder Peter Grasso linking up well together in the attack, with Onyeador – the much-hyped Virginia Gatorade 2007 Player of the Year – supplying the balls from middle. The attack runs deep into the team, with sophomore Chandler Diggs – joint topscorer for the Hoyas with three goals last season – providing his services up front alongside freshman forward David Madison, who has already impressed with strong performances in the preseason.

Wingers C’deBaca and Larrabee, who were two of the frontrunners in last season’s team, continue to complement each other on the opposite sides of the midfield. They will be led from the middle by seniors Corey Zeller and co-captain Sean Bellomy, both of whom tied the top-scoring spot with Diggs with three goals each last year. Zeller’s tricky runs down the middle and Bellomy’s eye for through balls will be crucial in providing openings for the Hoya attack.

eanwhile, the back four is anchored in the center with the towering figures of 6-foot-4 junior Len Coleman and 6-foot-2 sophomore Alex Verdi, who already have a good understanding of each other’s playing style from last season. Senior Alex Pangraze and freshman Brandon Pfluger will also vie for the center spot after promising performances in practices throughout the preseason. The outside defenders Wiese has been particularly impressed by are sophomore Mostafa Ebrahimnejad and junior Mark Zeman, a co-captain, both of whom are veterans of last season’s starting 11.

With an almost fully healthy roster – Coleman picked up an ankle injury against George Mason and has been walking in a protective boot, while senior midfielder Hunter Joslin has a slight knee sprain – Wiese can rely on a bench of experienced veterans and capable newcomers to come into the game at any given time and make a difference.

The Hoyas flew out early Thursday morning to Northridge, Calif., where they will don the away-strip this weekend to kick off their season with the Cal State-Northridge Tournament. The Blue and Gray will play Cal State-Northridge at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and then Cal State-Fullerton at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

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