photo courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. - The University of Delaware men’s soccer team returns to the field of play on Tuesday, Sept. 1, as they travel to Marist to open its 2009 campaign in a 7 p.m. match.

The Blue Hens will then travel to Annapolis, Md. to compete in the Navy Soccer Classic battling UMBC on Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. before taking on Navy at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 6. Delaware plays four road games prior to its home opener on Sept. 15 when the Blue and Gold take on Lehigh at 7 p.m. at Delaware Mini-Stadium.

Fourth-year head coach, Ian Hennessy is excited for the season that is upon us.

“Our preseason went well and our new recruits have added a fresh dimension – we’re competitive amongst ourselves for many positions,” said Hennessy.

Though the Hens pushed six games into overtime in 2008, the squad dropped eight games by one goal and finished 3-13-3 overall. In 2009, Delaware looks to freshman Roberto Vernaschi and sophomore transfer Darren O’Connor to solidify the defensive efforts in the backfield.

As the midfielders appear capable of playing with anyone in the conference, senior attackers Darren Christie and Paul Danaher will serve as the scoring threats for the brigade that added 10 new faces to the roster this season.

A third-team All-Colonial Athletic Conference honoree in 2008, Christie returns as the Hen’s top scorer from a year ago, while juniors Conrad Rusnak (at right) and Jon Scheer will serve as team co-captains. Delaware returns seven of its eight goal scorers from a year ago.

Rusanak, a 2008 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American nominee, manned the goal for the entirety of the 2008 season and looks to have secured the starting role once again, as has Scheer on the front line. Scheer who started each of the 19 contests for the Hens a year ago, returns as an offensive threat for the 2009 force.

Marist also opens its 2009 term on Tuesday night in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., while UMBC will enter Friday’s head-to-head having hosted Virginia Tech to unveil its season on Tuesday.

Admission to all UD soccer games is free.