NORTON - With 14 sophomores and nine freshmen on the roster, Wheaton College men's soccer coach Matt Cushing will be challenged to come up with a winning season in his 15th season at the helm.

"The freshmen will all make a pitch to play somewhere," said Cushing, who has a career 214-58-25 record. "They've really made it more competitive and added depth to the program. We start the best 11 players. I don't care if it's 11 freshmen; whoever gives us the best chance to win is who we play."

Wheaton has sustained success as one of 11 teams to qualify for the past five NCAA Tournaments, as the Lyons have captured three straight NEWMAC titles. At 14-6-3 overall, including 4-1-1 in conference play, they earned at least a share of their fourth straight regular season crown in 2007.

Wheaton returns five of its top six scorers, three starting defenders and all three goalkeepers. The freshman class set a school record with 34 assists last fall while collecting 28 goals, the most by a first-year class since 1990. "When you return nine starters from a team that won a NEWMAC Championship and went to the NCAA Tournament, the obvious thing is to think you can accomplish that again," said Cushing.

Anchoring the defense senior co-captain Ben Resnicow of Newton, who has made his past 35 appearances as a starter in the backfield. Joining him for their final fall on the Keefe Field pitch are seniors Akeem Layne of Brooklyn, N.Y. and David Wadsworth of Carver. Tyler Ostholthoff of Hopkinton, N.H., Matt Snider of Topsham, Maine and Adam Sussman of Swampscott comprise the junior class. Eleven sophomores figure in the attack with co-captain Yuri Moreira of Marlboro, Josh Solomon of Acton and Kyle Sye of Acton. Tristan Back of London, England, who is overcoming an injury, and Jason Lewis of Chelsea should each see time as reserve forwards.

Solomon matched team highs last year with 19 points and seven assists while netting six goals, Moreira recorded seven markers, and Sye tied for the squad lead with seven helpers while being named NEWMAC Rookie of the Year and to the all-conference second team.

Eric Driscoll of Lexington and Jake Wagner of Sudbury are two defensive-minded midfielders, with Driscoll serving as the team's quarterback after starting 18 games last year, tying for the squad lead with seven assists.

Cushing has moved David Ferriero (eight goals, 11 assists) of Medway from the forward line to his natural position in the backfield. Dean Hollands of Scituate, R.I. and David Winrow of South Weymouth each started all 23 games last season and remain mainstays in the backfield.

Wheaton will face five foes who qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year and the Lyons also host their first in-season tournament since 1994. Wheaton travels to Bridgewater State today and NEWMAC play begins on September 20, when the Lyons host Springfield.