The Hens look to open with speed, versatility and a concrete defense with hopes of setting the tone for a profitable year.

Veteran head coach Scott Grzenda, who enters his 20th season as the only coach in UD history, welcomes one of the youngest teams of his tenure as the roster features 11 first-year players. The Blue Hens, returning 10 letterwinners from the 2008 squad, look to seniors Caitlyn Germain and Kasie Shover (at right) to lead the way for the youthful team.

Germain, an All-Colonial Athletic Association third-team honoree in 2008, returns three goals and five assists from last year’s run, while Shover will make her first appearance since the 2007 season, after sitting out last season due to injury. In 2007, Shover started 16 contests, scoring two goals and adding an assist.

“We’re relying on our senior leadership to show the way,” Grzenda said.

Though ranking atop the CAA in defensive statistics in 2008, the Hens dropped seven matches by one goal, including two in overtime, compiling a record of 7-10-1 overall.

In efforts to eliminate this happening in 2008, the Blue and Gold have tightened its defense, while manning the backfield with agile players. “The flexibility of having numerous players capable of playing multiple positions, brings great depth to our team,” said Grzenda.

Having compiled an impressive career record of 180-146-26 at Delaware, Grzenda thinks that his team’s versatility and athleticism will also be the one of the biggest offensive positives. “Having the option to attack from up top or the midfield allows us to add to our game strategy,” he noted.

Binghamton also opens its 2009 term on Friday night in Newark, while Providence will enter Sunday’s head-to-head having traveled to Saint Joseph’s to unveil its season on Friday evening.

Admission to all UD soccer games is free.