Men’s

Seahawks Head Coach Aidan Heaney has much to look forward to in 2008 as he returns 18 players from last season’s youthful squad. In what was labeled as a rebuilding year in 2007, Heaney welcomed 16 newcomers into the program to give himself one of the youngest teams in the nation.

Now with a year of experience under their belts, the still young Seahawks will look to improve on last season’s 3-8 Colonial Athletic Association record.

Leading the effort to turn the Seahawks around will be captains Will Friesinger, Kirk Hudgins and David Acosta. The same three shared the captaincy last year as well.

Friesinger, the squad’s only senior, enters his final season as the Seahawks’ most experienced player. The midfielder took part in 14 games last season, notching an assist. As a sophomore, Friesinger also supplied one of the greatest moments in Seahawk soccer history in 2006 when he netted the only goal in a 1-0 upset of #4 Duke in Durham.

Hudgins and Acosta serve as the Seahawks’ most-capped juniors. The duo combined to be the only two players to start all 18 contests last season. Hudgins will keep his position in the midfield while Acosta will get a chance to show his versatility by moving into the heart of the defense after considerable midfield time in 2007.

Anchoring the Seahawk defense will be second-year goalkeeper Brock Duckworth. Duckworth enjoyed an impressive rookie season, playing in 17 games and posting a 1.79 goals against average. He also provided all of the Seahawks’ four shutouts last season.

The Seahawks’ keeper enjoyed an eventful off-season, winning the Under-19 National Championship with his club team Dallas Solar FC. Duckworth posted a shutout in the title match.

Leading the Seahawks’ front line will be sophomore striker Allen Lomax. Lomax contributed five goals and an assist in his debut campaign to lead all scorers along with fellow freshman Daniel Roberts.

Lomax also played for Duckworth’s Solar FC on their route to the National Championship.

The Seahawks’ opened their 2008 campaign firing on all cylinders as they comfortably put away a strong Denver side 3-1 in a home exhibition match last weekend. Kirk Hudgins opened the scoring in the first half before junior forward Devan Carroll took over and put the match away with two quick second half goals.

The Seahawks return to home action this Sunday when they entertain nationally-ranked Furman at 2 p.m.

Women’s

The Seahawk women’s soccer squad enters 2008 looking to fill a few big voids left by last season’s senior departures. Most notably, the Seahawks will have to begin life without central midfielder Jenny Cauble, one of the most productive players in the program’s history. Big holes have also been left on the back line as the Seahawks lost two defensive starters in Brooke Boley and Stephanie Rubright.

Now early into the new season, Head Coach Paul Cairney has turned to some of his most experienced players to shift into new roles in order solidify the strongest possible side for 2008.

Senior midfielder Maddy Bullington has dropped back to join fellow senior Katie MacDonald to anchor the central defense. Also moving into the early season back line was junior Jenna Evans, whose natural position has been striker; however, a serious leg injury against South Carolina will force Evans to undergo surgery, ending her season only two matches in. With Evans out, the position is now open to several possible players.

Returning between the posts is senior goalkeeper Emily Pratt. Pratt took over the starting job early last season and never looked back playing in 18 matches, four of which she posted shutouts. In 2007, opponents were able to beat the Seahawk keeper only 19 times for an impressive 1.18 goals against average.

So far in the new season, Pratt has looked solid making 11 saves in a grueling double-overtime shutout effort against South Carolina.

The Seahawk attack will offer stability in the form of returning wingers Brittany Croce and Erica Rodgers. The two outside players offer the Seahawks speed and attacking flair down the flanks. Rodgers, who scored twice last season, opened her 2008 account earlier this week in a 3-2 loss at Charlotte.

Senior Kelly Renkin will help solidify the midfield by stepping into the role played by Cauble in the previous seasons. The natural forward will drop into a more central position where she has some experience. Renkin led all Seahawk scorers last season, netting 10 times and dishing out four assists on her way to All-Conference honors.

By setting a demanding early season schedule, Cairney is showing confidence that his team can go blow-for-blow with anyone. Solid performances against regional powers like Duke, South Carolina and Charlotte suggest that the Seahawks could possibly challenge for their first CAA title and NCAA tournament berth.