(Dartmouth, MA) – UMass Dartmouth women’s soccer coach Alex Silva will build his 2005 Corsairs around a group of six experienced and talented veteran players.  These veterans were among the key players from last year’s team which posted a 10-8-1 overall record and the Corsiars’ first post-season appearance in nine seasons.  But the key to the Corsairs’ success may depend on the contributions of several newcomers to UMass Dartmouth.

“We have 13 players who are brand new to the program, so we are going to have to look to our returning players for leadership,” said Silva, who is entering his 10^th season with the Corsairs.  “We have to play as a team. I’m counting on my veterans to teach these new players how to adjust to the game at the collegiate level.”

The good news for Silva and the Corsairs is that the returning players are evenly distributed throughout the lineup, meaning UMass Dartmouth won’t have to move a group of new players into starting positions without some assistance from the veterans.

The best news of all for the Corsairs is the return of senior forward Kelly Fitts (Fairhaven, MA), UMass Dartmouth’s top scorer from last season with five goals and an assist for 11 points. In addition to her years of experience in soccer, Fitts has demonstrated her tremendous athletic ability by twice competing in the NCAA Division III Track Championships in the javelin.

“Her maturity in the game is a big positive for us,” said Silva.  “She’s very athletic on the field and never quits. She has improved every year she has played for us. I think she is going to be a very good leader this season, someone who the younger players can learn from.”

Joining Fitts on the Corsairs’ front line will be three first-year players each of who come to campus after solid four-year careers in high school.  Silva said that each of the three is skilled in the game and ready to move to the college level. If Ashley Losi (Weymouth, MA), Sarah Killingbeck (Norton, MA) and Nicole Nelligan (Whitman, MA) can make the transition to the college game as first-year players, the Corsairs wont have to rely on Fitts to provide all of their scoring this season.

UMass Dartmouth will be especially experienced in the midfield with returning senior starters and co-captains Erin Estelle (Worthington, MA) and Maura Armstrong (Worcester, MA), another two-sport athlete (women’s basketball) along with Lindsey Smith (Hanson, MA).

“Each one of them has a very good understanding of the game and know what it takes to succeed in our program and in the Little East Conference,” Silva said.

After an impressive pre season, Silva said he thought one of the newcomers, Lindsey Goller (Franklin, MA), would probably get a spot in the starting lineup. Among the other first-year players to the program who could see some playing time are Jessica Swenson (Salem, MA) and Nicole Gregory (Shirley, MA).

“We are going to have some experience on the back line and that is important,” said Silva who will be joined on the sidelines by assistant coaches Sarah Bourque and goalie coach Edwin Costa.

Silva will have sophomore Leanne Nygaard (Medway, MA) and junior Leanne Folan (Hanson, MA), a pair of starters from 2004, in the lineup and both have plenty of experience in the Corsair program to take over the defensive unit.  Two newcomers who will also see some action on defense are Nicole Lopes (Webster, MA) and Julie Eastman (Ashburnham, MA)

The only position the Corsairs will have to rely on a first-year player will be in goal where Shawna Howell (Uxbridge, MA) will be the starter.  Originally recruited to play soccer for the Corsairs several seasons ago, this will be her first season for UMass Dartmouth.  First-year player Jessica Osuch (Fairhaven, MA), who can also play defense for the Corsairs, will back her Howell in net.

Silva also has a pair of players who he can move throughout the lineup wherever they are needed. Sophomore Jackie Erbafina (North Reading, MA) and sophomore Megan Scanlon (Scituate, RI) have already played several positions in the past.  Silva said he wouldn’t hesitate to slide them into the lineup at any spot, depending on where they are needed.

The Corsairs were picked to finish fourth in the 2005 Little East Conference Coaches’ pre-season poll released before the season started.  Three-time defending champion Keene State was picked to finish first with 59 points and six first-place votes, followed by Plymouth State (2, 52 pts) and Rhode Island College in third place (47 pts).

UMass Dartmouth opens the 2005 season at the Maine Maritime Tournament before playing the home opener on Sept. 8 against Roger Williams University.  The Corsairs open LEC action on Sept. 17 at Eastern Connecticut State University.