Aug. 6, 2008

University of Richmond, Va. - After making the conference semifinals last fall the Richmond Women's soccer team is picked to finish sixth out of 14 teams in the Atlantic 10 Preseason poll.

The Spiders will be looking to expand upon last year's performance where Richmond advanced to the A-10 semifinals only to lose to eventual champion Charlotte.

After only losing three out of 11 starters the future looks very bright for the young Spiders squad.

Richmond will be led by returning seniors Julia Bizer, Susan Boyer, Sarah Hilt, Kate Hudson, Melanie Varga and Jessie Wolfe.

The speed of junior forwards Jessie Knight and Jen Ruhe will be essential to the Spiders' attack. Throughout the midfield the crafty play of Kristen Stalter and Varga will accompany the instrumental defensive workings of Hilt and Wolfe.

Wolfe returns to the Spiders' midfield with a team-high five goals and two assists in 2007. Varga, Hilt and Stalter combined for five goals and three assists, adding to a total of 10 goals and five assists throughout the midfield.

The formidable backline will be led my seniors Bizer, Boyer and junior Carter Blair. In goal the Spiders return Hudson and Lora Gess, and add freshmen Melissa Pacheco and Andrea Young.

Richmond will open up play at home in First Market Stadium, where they will host James Madison on Aug. 24 and then host cross-town rival VCU on Aug. 29th.