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RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University women's soccer team will open its 2010 campaign as they travel to play in-state foe Louisville on Friday night at 7:00 p.m.

"We're really excited about starting the season," head coach Lindsay Basalyga said. "And what better way to open the season than with a BIG EAST team? Games like this will let us know where we are right now and where we want to be when OVC play begins."

Friday night's game is the regular season opener for Louisville as well. The Cardinals were were 5-11-1 (2-8-1 BIG EAST) in 2009.

Following their game against Louisville, the Colonels will play their home opener on Sunday, Aug. 22 when they host Xavier at EKU Soccer Field at 1:00 p.m.

The following is a preview of the Colonels' 2010 season.

After consecutive appearances in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, the Eastern Kentucky University women’s soccer team has its sights set on a championship in 2010. If the Colonels are to accomplish that feat, however, they will have to do so with an almost entirely revamped backline and a roster that features 12 new faces. Because of this major turnover, EKU has been picked to finish fifth in the league by conference head coaches and sports information directors. This gives the Colonels the element of surprise, and Basalyga fully intends to take advantage of that element.

“This is the most balanced roster we’ve ever had, technically, tactically, creatively and mentality-wise,” Basalyga said. “We worked very hard in the spring, and I think it’s going to show this fall.”

Is Basalyga concerned about the returning players gelling with the new players? In a word: no.

“Team chemistry is the best it’s ever been this early in the season,” Basalyga said. “The incoming players have meshed right away, both on and off the field. They’re all showing their personalities, and I think that’s a good thing.”

Helping along such a young and inexperienced roster is a group of core returning players that are both talented and decorated. Senior goalkeeper Stephanie Lynch is a two-time second team All-OVC selection and holds the EKU career saves record (302) and the OVC single game saves record (19). Junior midfielder Heather Bruce was a first team All-OVC selection in 2008. Junior defender Stephanie Murray was named to the OVC All-Tournament team in 2008. Senior midfielder Carly Muller was a second team All-OVC selection in 2007.

The talent is in place for a championship run. If the team’s veterans can provide leadership for the 12 new players, the Colonels could be a dangerous team in November.

“Our expectations are high this year,” Basalyga said. “We have the most potential we’ve ever had. But I think the players individually and the team as a whole has to define its worth by earning results they’re capable of earning. Because potential, in the end, means nothing.”

Goalkeepers

The Colonels are fortunate to have a four-year starter at one of the most crucial positions on the field. Lynch started the Colonels’ first game of the season her freshman year on the road at nationally-ranked Maryland. She recorded an OVC-record 19 saves in that game. Since then, Lynch has made an EKU-record 302 saves, has been named OVC Goalkeeper of the Week an EKU-record five times and has been named second team All-OVC twice. In 2008, she recorded an OVC best eight shutouts. Last year, she recorded six shutouts, four of which came against OVC opponents. Basalyga expects great leadership out of Lynch this season and she expects 2010 to be Lynch’s grand finale; however, she also expects freshman Lyndsay Vance, out of Woodford Country High School in Versailles, Ky., to push Lynch.

“Stephanie has worked extremely hard for three years and we expect big things from her,” Basalyga said. “But Lyndsay has definitely come in and challenged her. I think we have a very good goalkeeper in Lyndsay and she will see some playing time throughout the season.”

Defenders

Over the past two seasons, the Colonels have had one of the finest defenses in the OVC. In 2008, the backline blanked an OVC-best eight teams. Last year, it surrendered only five goals in eight regular season OVC games. The players on that backline were veteran and had played with each other for numerous years. This year, all but one of those players is gone.

“We had a very strong defense for two years,” Basalyga said. “So this year’s backline definitely has some big shoes to fill. But the players we have found to fill those roles are good soccer players. They’ll play to their strengths, and, really, that’s half the battle for defenders.”

Murray enters 2010 as the elder stateswoman of the Colonel backline. The junior from Whitby, Ontario played the most minutes (1,361) of any returning non-goalkeeper on the team last year and she will be looked upon to anchor a very inexperienced defense this year. Sophomore Hayley Wright also saw valuable time in the back last year, memorably playing all 110 minutes of a 0-0 draw at eventual OVC champion Murray State, and should be a mainstay this year.

Two other returnees – sophomores Katie Collar and Deja Tennon – will move to the backline this season. Collar played midfield in 2009 but was a defensive-minded midfielder, so the move should suit her strengths. Tennon was a forward in 2009 and her superior speed will be a welcome asset to the Colonel defense in 2010.

Sophomore transfers Amanda Barch and Nikkita English will vie for playing time on defense this year, as will freshman Kerry LeBrun, who, according to Basalyga, is a “hard-nosed worker and tough defender who could earn some time as the season progresses.”

Midfielders

Along with goalkeeper, midfield is the Colonels’ most experienced position. Muller and Bruce are both seasoned veterans with productive repertoires (Muller is second on the school’s all-time assists list, Bruce is third). Junior Jessica Reed, meanwhile, has been a serviceable reserve at the position for two years and her speed and ability to drive long balls should get her solid playing time again this season.

A stable of freshmen midfielders should compliment that trio in 2010. According to Basalyga, freshmen Janelle Coates, Brittany Nomady and Kristan Paynter all have great vision and read the game well, while freshman Tess Akgunduz has great vision serving people in on long balls.

“Whoever ends up playing in the midfield will have good athletic ability, strength in the air and creativity, both on the ball and with distribution,” Basalyga said. “The people in the middle of the field are our playmakers, and we’re going to expect them to make an impact on the game.”

Forwards

The Colonels scored only 12 goals in 2009 (down from 20 in 2008) and will look to score at a much higher rate in 2010. Senior Alex Raich scored two goals last season and enters this season as EKU’s leading active goal scorer with six career goals. Senior Courtney Nestor and redshirt freshman Lauren Fant, according to Basalyga, were two of the most improved players over the spring and will see time up top in 2010.

They will share that time with a foursome of high-potential freshmen – Hillary Cooper, Nicole Donnelly, Courtney Klaas and Sarah LeBrun – all of whom, according to Basalyga, are dynamic, creative and athletic forwards who will look to score a lot of goals this year.

“We have a balanced set of forwards this year,” Basalyga said. “All of them bring different qualities to the game, and I think that makes us less predictable on the attack.”