Husson University women's soccer program enters the 2009 season seeking their 4^th straight North Atlantic Conference title and trip to the NCAA III National Tournament.  Head Coach Keith Bosley has a veteran team returning led by senior Shelby Bradford (Lee, ME).  The Eagles were 16-5 a year ago with a 7-0 record in the NAC.

Bradford is one of the top scorers in the country, finishing last season ranked 11^th in the NCAA III with 2.90 points per game (9^th in assists .71 per game and 25^th in goals 1.19 per game).  She helped pace the Eagles as the 4^th highest scoring team in the country with 4.14 goals per game.  Along with Bradford, juniors Megan Lajoie (Van Buren, ME) and Megan Clement (Brunswick, ME) combined for 24 goals last season.  Bradford, Lajoie, and Clement were three of the top four scorers for the Eagles a year ago.     

Husson returns 17 student-athletes including 9 returning starters from the 2008 championship team.  They dominated conference play a year ago finishing 7-0, outscoring their opponents 41-2.  Over the last five years, the Eagles have dominated NAC play with a 43-4-3 record while winning 3 straight conference titles. 

"We are very excited about the prospects for the 2009 soccer season.  There are 17 student-athletes returning with 9 of them being starters, along with the one of our strongest incoming classes" states Head Coach Keith Bosley.  "Transfers Alexandra Leniewski (U. Vermont) and Amanda Gifford (Bates) will help the program immediately.  It will be very competitive for starting positions and playing time this year which will only make us stronger, it's an exciting time for our program."    

Coach Bosley will need to replace the keeper as 1^st Team All-NAC performer Tatyana Wolterbeek (Wells, ME) has finished her eligibility.  The Eagles led the conference last year with 10 shutouts and allowed only 1.14 goals per game.  Senior Jen Plourde (Howland, ME) and sophomore Rozlyn Petersen (Newport, ME) will compete for the starting keeper position.  The keeper will have a veteran defense in front of her.  Caitlyn Butterfield (Jr., Gorham, ME) and Lajoie anchor the defense, along with junior Jana Clukey (Presque Isle, ME).   Butterfield and Lajoie were both named 1^st Team All-NAC.  The Eagles also return three key mid-fielders Michelle Manning (So., Hampden, ME), Kylan Smith (Jr., Presque Isle, ME), and 2^nd Team All-NAC choice Amy Sanz (Jr., Tyngsboro, MA).

This is a veteran Eagles line-up that looks to contend again for a NAC title.  They have post season experience playing in three NCAA III National Tournaments and advancing to the 2^nd round last season.  The Eagles defeated Norwich University 2-0 in the opening round of the National Tournament before losing to #1 ranked Williams College 3-1 in the 2^nd round.    

The Eagles will practice at 3:30 pm Wednesday, August 26 - Friday, August 28^th.  They open the season playing host to U. Southern Maine on Monday, September 1^st at 4:00 pm.