Last season, the Penn State men's soccer team had a goal to reach the Final Four.

This year, that goal has turned into an expectation.

The Nittany Lions are led by first-team All-American Ricardo Villar, but the senior midfielder also has a supporting cast of 15 returning lettermen and two players returning from injuries.

Lions junior defender Jorma Makipaa is coming back to be a leader on the defense after an injury sidelined him last season and sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Sickman will return to challenge for a starting role in the net.

Penn State men's soccer assistant coach Kevin Doyle said the crafty and explosive Villar will have free reign on the field to roam around, looking for scoring opportunities or chances to make plays for his teammates.

Without a definite position, the Lions hope Villar will use his talent to open things up for the Penn State offensive attack.

One concern for the Lions might be their goalkeeping. Last year's starter Whit Gibson graduated and there is no definite replacement yet.

However, Doyle downplayed those concerns by saying with four players vying for the starting job, the Lions will be sure to put a stable goalkeeper in the net.

"We lost a lot of experience in Whit," Doyle said. "But we have a good core."

Penn State junior midfielder Derek Potteiger said this year's squad is talented from top to bottom as the Lions added a freshman group who can step in and make contributions.

The All-Big Ten selection said leadership and experience will be the most important intangibles for this Lions squad.

"We did change our system a little bit," Potteiger said. "But there is nothing like having good experience on the field."

With a fresh, talented freshman class making its debut this fall and eight starters returning, the Lions expect to build on their successes from last season.

Penn State still has two weeks before its opening weekend Sept. 2nd and 3rd against Vermont and New Hampshire, but the Lions are wasting no time making sure they are on track for a successful season.

"Every year, you have to expect to achieve more," Doyle said.