Atlantic 10 Conference Preview-Women's Soccer

Charlotte (6-2-0)-The three-time defending A-10 champs will look for the four-peat this season, and were ranked second in the preseason coaches' poll. Under new head coach John Cullen, the 49ers will carry just 3 seniors on their roster this season. Key player: Midfielder Kirby Stenard, named to the Soccer America National Team of the Week after two consecutive game-winning goals against East Tennessee State and N.C. State last week.Dayton (4-0-4)- Selected by A-10 coaches to win the conference this season, the undefeated Flyers lead the conference in shots and goals allowed, with six shutouts to start the year. Key player: Senior Forward Lauren McCormick, leading the team with eight points (three goals, two assists).

Duquesne (3-4-0)- Selected to finish ninth in the A-10, the Dukes enter the conference schedule losing three of their last four games. Key player: Junior Forward Samantha Kaiser, leading the team with eight points on four goals.

Fordham (1-7-1)- The Rams have struggled to find the net this season, with just five goals in their first nine games. They were selected to finish fourth in the conference. Key player: Senior Midfielder Leah Loguidice, the only player with more than one goal this season (2).

George Washington (3-3-2)- The Colonials, in a four-game winless streak, starts their conference schedule hosting four of their first five games. Selected to finish 10th in the conference. Key player: Senior Midfielder Brittany Eger has a team-leading six points on three goals, including a two-goal effort against Towson Aug. 24.

La Salle (6-2-1)- The Explorers have beaten expectations thus far after a projected ninth-place finish by A-10 coaches. Key player: Junior Midfielder Kelly O'Steen helping the U.S. team win the gold medal in the 2009 Deaflympics, a series of Olympic-like athletic events for the hearing impaired.

Massachusetts (1-4-2)- Under new head coach Angela Napoli, the Minutewomen enter the A-10 schedule on a three-game undefeated streak, and have gone into double-overtime in three of their last four games. However, the ladies have scored just four goals thus far. Selected to finish 12th in the conference Key player: Freshman Goalkeeper Emily Cota, who carries a miniscule 0.84 goals against average, and was a preseason all-rookie selection.

Rhode Island (2-4-1)- The Rams have recovered from an 0-4 start to accumulate a three-game undefeated streak. Selected to finish fifth in the conference. Key player: Junior Midfielder Kaylen Shimoda, tied for the team lead with five points (two goals, one assist).

Richmond (4-4-1)- The Spiders enter the A-10 schedule with a three-game undefeated streak. With just seven upperclassmen on their roster, Richmond was projected to finish seventh in the A-10 preseason poll. Key player: Freshman Forward Shondel Archer, tied for third in the conference with 12 points (five goals, two assists).

St. Bonaventure (3-6-0)- The Bonnies enter the conference schedule with a three-game losing streak, not scoring a goal during the slump. Selected to finish sixth in the conference. Key player: Junior forward Courtney Bosse, leading the team with seven points (three goals, one assist).

Saint Joseph's (3-3-2)- The Hawks enter the A-10 schedule tallying just three goals in the past four games. Selected to finish 11th in the conference Key player: Sophomore Forward Maggie Lupinski, tied for third in the A-10 for scoring with 12 points (six goals).

Saint Louis (3-4-1)- The Billikens, selected to finish third in the conference, have scored six goals thus far this season, scoring a shutout in four games. Key player: Senior Midfielder Susan Fredrickson, leading the team with 8 points this season (3 goals, 2 assists).

Temple (4-3-1)- The Owls, selected to finish 13th in the conference, have lost their last two games after an impressive 4-1-1 start. Key player: Sophomore Forward Niki Conn, leading the team with 12 points (six goals).

Xavier (1-7)- The Musketeers were selected to finish in the basement the preseason, and have done little to disprove that claim this season. Key player: Senior Midfielder Brittany Green, leading the team with 5 points (two goals, one assist).