CROSS COUNTRY
Coach: Stan Soper.
Last year: Both teams second in Capital Athletic Conference meet; women third and men ninth at regional meet.
Top runners: Allison Hazlett, Julia Rothlisberger, Cristy Falcone (the 2004 CAC Runner of the Year), Ann Tripp, Mary Naylor (Liberty High), Justin Kirk, Matt Downs, George Winslow, Luke Wolverton.
Outlook: The men's squad has considerable experience as well as depth and could challenge for the conference crown this fall. The women have their sights set on perennial power Emory at the regional meet, but with only 11 squad members, must avoid any rash of injuries to meet their full potential.
Schedule: Sept. 2--at Salisbury Sea Gull Opener; 9--at Lebanon Valley College Invitational; 23--at Roanoke College Invitational; 20--at Paul Short Invitational (Lehigh, Pa.); Oct. 14--at Gettysburg College Invitational; 21--at Elizabethtown College Invitational; Nov. 4--CAC conference meet at Salisbury; 11--NCAA regional championships at Atlanta.
FIELD HOCKEYCoach: Dana Hall
Last year: 9-11, fourth during regular season, lost to three-time defending national champion Salisbury in CAC semifinals.
Top players: G Katherine Brown, F Jena Elliott, MF Lauren Allen, D. Emily Nicotera (Chancellor).
Outlook: With 19 returnees and some talented newcomers, UMW fans can expect the Eagles to regain some of their former stature as one of the region's better teams. Robin Woodie joins Hall's staff as an assistant and chief recruiter after guiding the Stafford High School team to an unbeaten season and Group AAA state crown.
Schedule: Sept. 3--at Lebanon Valley College; 6--Goucher; 9--York; 12--St. Mary's; 15--Washington College; 17--at Franklin & Marshall; 21--at Bridgewater; 23--at Roanoke; 26--Catholic; 30--Villa Julie; Oct. 4--Christopher Newport; 8--Washington & Lee; 12--at Lynchburg; 14--Dickinson; 18--at Sweet Briar; 21--at Salisbury; 25--at Randolph-Macon College.
MEN'S SOCCERCoach: Roy Gordon
Last year: 7-9-3
Top players: MF Tommy Park, B Glen Gray (Culpeper), F Vincent Kooijman, MF Tommy DiNuzzo, MF Bryan Hargrove, G Elliott Jones.
Outlook: The Eagles are fourth-ranked in a pre-season poll of CAC coaches and that might be just about right with nine newcomers on the club, several of whom figure to start. If the team jells at the right time, could be a factor come tournament time.
Schedule: Sept. 2--Eastern Mennonite; 3--Shenandoah; 6--at Roanoke; 9--at Gettysburg; 13--at at Randolph-Macon; 16--Greensboro; 20--at St. Mary's College; 23--at Goucher; 27--at Washington & Lee University; 30--N.C. Wesleyan; Oct. 4--Catholic; 7--Salisbury; 10--Hood; 12--at Gallaudet; 18--Marymount; 21--at York; 25--Christopher Newport.
WOMEN'S SOCCERCoach: Kurt Glaeser
Last year: 12-4-1, lost to York in CAC semifinals
Top players: F Jaclyn Gebbia, D Margaret Vaccaro, MF Hannah Pearson, D Kristina Ashwell.
Outlook: A playoff loss to York proved particularly disappointing as the Eagles were denied a chance of possibly advancing to the NCAA playoffs. That may serve as a motivating factor but the youngsters (20 freshmen or sophomores) need to grow up fast in a hurry since last year's Nos. 1 and 2-ranked teams (Messiah and Coll. of New Jersey) are on this year's slate.
Remaining schedule: Sept. 2--at Gettysburg; 9--Virginia Wesleyan; 10--Christopher Newport; 13--at Bridgewater; 16--at Messiah; 18--Gallaudet; 21--Goucher; 23--at York; 27--at Marymount; Oct. 1--Roanoke; 3--St. Mary's; 7--Salisbury; 21--at College of New Jersey.
VOLLEYBALLCoach: Dee Conway
Last year's record: 15-15, fourth in CAC.
Top players:OH Kelley Hueber, MH Sarah Tighe (Massaponax), L Samantha Harper, MH Kathryn Carter, OP Anne Lutkenhaus, S Rita Beale (Fredericksburg Christian).
Outlook: With five starters returning and some promising prospects, notching a 22nd winning season in school history seems like a certainty. But coach Conway is really shooting for the Eagles first appearance in the NCAA tournament in 15 years.
Schedule: Sept. 1--at Hood (cancelled); 2--at Washington; 6--with Cabrini at Washington College; 6--Virginia Wesleyan; 8-9--at Muhlenburg Tournament; 13-- at York; 14--Bridgewater; 16--at Catholic; 20--Gallaudet; 21--Lynchburg; 27--at Marymount; 30--vs. FDU at Messiah College; Oct. 4--Salisbury; 7--Alumni match; 11--at Catholic University; 13--at Randolph-Macon; 19--Goucher; 25--at St. Mary's.
TENNISOutlook: Both squads are expected to field strong teams again. The men open with the UMW Kickoff tournament scheduled Sept. 8 and 9 with Richmond, George Washington and Longwood participating. The Eagle women, seeking their ninth straight trip to the NCAA Division III tournament, will stage the ITA Regional tournament to open the season on Sept. 23-25.