NEWARK, Del. - The Blue Hen Classic marks the beginning of the 2008 University of Delaware women’s soccer season this weekend at the Delaware Mini Stadium.

The Blue Hens, who return 14 letterwinners from last year’s 8-10 (4-7 in the Colonial Athletic Association) team, face off against Lafayette at 7:30 p.m Friday night and then play St. John’s on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. In other games, Towson will take on St. John’s at 5 p.m. Friday night and Lafayette at 12 noon on Sunday.

Scott Grzenda, the only head coach in UD women’s soccer history, enters his 19th season on the Blue Hen sideline. He has compiled an impressive career record of 173-136-25 (.555), led his teams to three league second place finishes, and been named league Coach of the Year three times. His teams have posted 13 winning seasons and posted 10 or more wins 10 times.

As he attempts to guide the Blue Hens into the CAA tournament for the first time since they made the semifinals in 2005, Grzenda feels he has the best front line in the conference. Junior Caitlyn Germain headlines this front line, as she was selected to the pre-season All- CAA team in a vote by the league’s head coaches. She scored seven goals last year en-route to a 2007 All-CAA second team selection and was also named to the CAA All-Rookie team in 2005.

While the front line is talented, Grzenda’s midfielders have the experience. Captains Alli D’Amico and Dana Rodgers, along with fellow seniors Kasie Shover (at right) and Jamie Flynn, have the ability to control the tempo and flow of the game.  According to Grzenda, much of the team’s success will rely on these midfielders’ ability to link the backs with the attackers and to control the pace of the game.

“They have played together for the last three years, and we hope that their experience will mold the rest of our players into a cohesive team,” Grzenda said.

Grzenda has still not decided who to start at goalkeeper, and it’s a problem he is glad to have. Senior Annie Bevan and freshman Breanna Stemler are competing for the starting spot. Bevan split time last year with E.J. Goldman.

“They both are talented keepers with great shot stopping ability and an instinct for the position” Grzenda said.

The Blue Hens have played two pre-season scrimmages, losing 2-0 to the Big East’s Villanova and winning 2-0 against Lehigh. Against Lehigh, Amy Pickard scored off of a pass from D’Amico in the first half. The second half saw junior forward Melissa Kilker finish far post off of a skip pass from Rodgers after a cross on the left side from Pickard. Bevan and Stemler have split time in net during both scrimmages.

Lafayette earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw in its 2008 season-opener at Rider on Tuesday afternoon while St. John’s shut out Fairfield 1-0 on Aug. 22. Towson opened the season by going 1-1 last weekend with a 0-3 loss at #12 West Virginia followed by a 2-1 win at home versus Mount St. Mary’s.