WALTHAM, Mass. – As the Bentley men's soccer team prepares to open up its 2015 season on Friday against Post University in North Andover, Mass., the goal for eighth-year head coach Gary Crompton and his squad is simple; return to the Northeast-10 Playoffs after missing out last season for the first time in seven years.

Before the season gets underway, Coach Crompton answered a few questions about his team and its preparations for the season.

Last season you missed the postseason for the first time since 2007, the year before you took over the program, what would you say the primary reason was?

GC: Last season we conceded far too many goals (1.67 per game, 7^th most in NE-10) and didn't create enough chances, so certainly we need to be better on both sides of the ball this season. The best teams in our conference defend as a team and attack as a group, so playing together as a team is something we need to improve upon.

What is one thing that has stood out to you about the team in the preseason?

GC: The best part about our team is that there is intense competition for starting positions. We have a deep team this year and the starting group will be picked by performances in practices and in games. That insures the players work hard and push each other to improve. To that end, our team members have great respect for each other and they are all very close friends. We have a fantastic senior class that wants nothing more than to lead our squad back to the playoffs.

Last season the team struggled to score at times, scoring just 1.2 goals per game, which was 3^rd fewest in the NE-10. Who do you expect do step up offensively this season?

GC: Co-captain and senior forward Scott Levy (14 goals the last two seasons) and senior midfielder Nick Hoffman (3 goals, 8 points last season) were our two leading scorers last season, so they will lead the line for us offensively. Sophomore forward Sean Sullivan (2 goals as a freshman) has looked sharp in preseason. Senior midfielder Marty Ryan (14 career assists) was an All-Conference player as a sophomore and our leading creator of goals that season, so we hope he can find that form again in his final season at Bentley.

This year's team has a number of experienced defensive players, who do you expect to lean on to help cut down on the number of goals conceded?

GC: Our back four has looked solid in preseason, led by our co-captain Stephen Silva (44 starts in three seasons). Stephen was injured for a big part of last season, so our hope is that the hard work he put in this off-season will keep him fit for the entire season. Sophomore Matthew Jones (13 starts as a freshman) has looked bright in preseason as well. We have a number of other experienced players in Joe Avery, who has started every match in his career, along with Matt Miles, Nick Italia and Brett Ripperger, who will help strengthen us defensively.

Last season Jack Blatchford started all but one match in goal, do you expect that he will maintain his grip on the starting job?

GC: Our keepers are in a battle this preseason. Blatchford and sophomore Liam McCarthy have both looked solid thus far. In practices, freshman Harrison Rapant has also done a nice job and has impressed our staff with his work ethic.

Most teams hope to get some contributions out of their freshmen class. Who among your nine newcomers do you think can contribute right away?

GC: Midfielder Evan Ryan and forward Luc Batawi have looked bright in camp so far. Luc has demonstrated a tireless work rate and finesse in front of goal.

Finally, which games have you circled on the schedule that you think will determine whether this team gets back to the playoffs?

GC: In our league every game matters. Our league is so competitive, that every point is essential. We missed the playoffs last year for the first time since I took over by a single point. Every minute of every match is vital for us to return to the Northeast-10 Playoffs.

Additionally we continue to schedule the best out of conference opponents we can in order to best prepare for the conference playoffs. This year we open up against Post University, which made the NCAA Tournament last season, and we'll also lock horns with NYIT, who are both very good sides.