WEST POINT, N.Y. - Spring arrives on Saturday, and for the Army women's soccer team, whose field was covered in snow just two weeks ago, comes the non-traditional spring schedule that will provide head coach Stefanie Golan and her staff a chance for instruction and evaluation.

"With such a small number of returning players, commented Golan, who will lose five seniors to graduation in May, "each player will have an opportunity to show what she is capable of contributing throughout the course of our spring games. We like the matchups as each game will present unique challenges, and we are excited to see how this group comes together as we face each challenge.

"The most important aspect of the spring for us right now is for this group to define who we are and where we are headed," continued Golan who heads into her second season at the helm.  "We have done some very solid work to this point of the spring, and we are moving in a very positive direction, albeit a small step at a time." 

Army's spring slate has four collegiate games divided between the road and home. The season gets underway March 27 with the team hosting Kutztown at Shea Stadium, while the second weekend in April is a busy one. The Black Knights visit Buffalo on Saturday, April 10, for a 1:30 game, then return home to host St. Rose the next day at Shea Stadium.

The Black Knights head to Hamilton, N.Y., to visit Patriot League rival Colgate on April 17 in closing out competition. The Raiders captured the Patriot League title and automatic NCAA bid in the fall. It will be a good gauge for Golan and her staff as Army lost 2-1 to the Raiders during the regular season. Colgate clinched a playoff berth with the victory, but had to hold off an Army team that outshot it 12-9 in the second half with three shots over the final minutes, including a missed penalty kick in the final seconds.

"Our goal is to have a very solid foundation when the fall rolls around and we bring in a large number of recruits to join us," added Golan. "The players are doing a fantastic job with this and have been very engaged with everything we have been doing both on and off the field."

Army hosts the annual Alumni Game on Saturday, April 24, at Clinton Field. In addition, the women will join the men's soccer team hosting a free youth soccer clinic at 4:30 p.m. in conjunction with the men's team's scrimmage against the New York Red Bulls on Monday, March 29, at 1:30 p.m.

2010 SPRING SCHEDULE

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