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Alphabetical 2013 NCAA D1 Preview: Detroit

We’re breaking down all the NCAA D1 teams one by one. Welcome to the Alphabetical 2013 NCAA D1 Previews! We are now at teams starting with the letter ‘D’,  and Detroit, located in Detroit, MI, is up for Preview… is 2013 going to see the wrath of the Titans?

In 2012, Detroit went 6-9, and in 8 of those games they scored less than 10 goals. The Titans didn’t have any marquee wins, but the victories over Jacksonville, Canisius, and Marist were decent. The worst loss for Detroit was probably an 18-8 blowout by UNC.

2013 doesn’t get any easier for Detroit. They knocked off some of their weaker opponents (and UNC), and added schools like Robert Morris, Ohio State, Navy, Bellarmine and Siena. Overall, it looks to be a slightly more challenging schedule than what they faced in 2012. Late in the season Detroit plays Marquette (in their first year), and that could be a good game for years to come, as both programs grow. It’s also good to see Detroit play in-state against Michigan. That will be good for both programs, especially when it comes to local recruiting.

Offensively, Joel Matthews is gone, and he takes his 39 points with him. Fortunately, Detroit has a couple of guys who are proven scorers to help replace the top point getter from 2012. Shayne Adams, Alex Maini, and Scott Drummond are all juniors this year, and should bear a good deal of the load. I also think Mike Birney could have a breakout year.

Defensively, the stout AJ Levell is back in net for his senior year, and he brings a 54% save percentage with him. Jamie Hebden and John Dwyer both return on defense, and Jordan Houtby should once again terrorize opponents with a longstick through the midfield.

Detroit will need its defense to step up this year if they want to win more games. Face offs and offense could obviously use improvement (where is that not true? no where), but Detroit’s best chances this year may fall on limiting opponents’ offensive looks, while converting the ones they can create for themselves, whenever they come. It’s an uphill battle for Detroit, but they can make strides in the MAAC.

2012 video was tough to come by…

Click HERE to see Alphabetical 2013 NCAA D1 Preview posts for Air Force, Albany, Army, Bellarmine, Binghamton, Brown, Bryant, Bucknell, Canisius, Colgate, Cornell, Dartmouth, and Denver!

Also check out Crosse Clicks: College Edition for links, videos, photos and more.