American University men's soccer opens the 2013 season this weekend at the 13th Annual D.C. College Cup in Fairfax, Va. The Eagles will take on George Washington on Friday, August 30, at 5 p.m., before facing host George Mason on Sunday, September 1, at 7:30 p.m.

After a fourth-straight Patriot League Championship appearance last season, head coach Todd West's squad is poised for another run at the conference crown and return to the NCAA Tournament in 2013. Behind the strength of four returning First Team All-Patriot League players, the Eagles have the experience, talent and drive to capture their fourth conference title and ninth NCAA Tournament appearance.

Heading into the season the Eagles are a combined 22-7-6 in Patriot League play over the past five seasons and 13-1-3 at home on Reeves field since 2008.

Defense will be key yet again for American as Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year Billy Knutsen and Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Cristobal Soto anchor the unit for the Eagles. Soto was also recently named a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.

AU has several experienced defenders in juniors Jordan Manley, Jake Weinreb, Conor Osborne and Matt Harlow.

Despite the impressive defensive presence for the Eagles, it will be a well-rounded team as reigning Patriot League points-leader and Scholar-Athlete of the Year Colin Seigfreid returns to lead the American offense. 

Senior Chris Kuramoto, who was fourth on the squad last season with seven points, also returns to the lineup along classmate Patrick Mehlert, juniors Brett Habermehl and Stephen Hauschild and sophomore Charlie Hunter.

There will also be influx of new talent as 10 freshmen arrive on campus in Washington, D.C., along with two sophomores and a junior transfer.

Friday's matchup against the Colonials will be the 42 all-time meeting between the two schools, although the two teams have not met since the 2011 D.C. College Cup.

GW returns 14 letterwinners and seven starters from last year's squad and welcomes 10 newcomers. Offensively they are led by seniors Tyler Ranalli and Baily Hinners, who combined for five goals and 11 points last season.

George Mason was selected to finish third in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll while freshman midfielder Zach Herstek was named to the all-rookie team.

The Patriots are coming off of a 3-1 exhibition win over Campbell this past Saturday, and also downed Patriot League foe, Lehigh, 3-0.