As the third season of varsity women’s soccer is set to commence at Massachusetts Maritime, there is great excitement and enthusiasm building for a youthful group of Buccaneers under the guidance of Head Coach Christine McCarey, who continues to build a solid foundation for the program while looking to take the next steps forward in the always-rugged MASCAC.

McCarey, a former standout at Springfield, welcomes back nine letterwinners and a talented crop of newcomers to Buzzards Bay for the 2010 campaign, and she will look to leadership for that group from senior Katie Maynard (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) and junior Nicole Newell (Plymouth, Mass./Sacred Heart), who will serve as Massachusetts Maritime’s co-captains this fall.  McCarey describes the duo as “individuals who typify the direction that this program is headed in—positive, vocal, encouraging and conscientious.  They are committed to success both on and off the field, and they are ready to help us step up and meet new challenges.”

Here’s a look at how things are shaping up for the 2010 edition of Buccaneer Women’s Soccer:

FORWARD.  Junior Vanessa DiDomenico (Wrentham, Mass./King Philip) is the top returnee for the Buccaneers up front, as she netted a marker against MCLA last fall and appeared in all 16 matches in 2009.  Sophomore Shelagh Hogan (North Andover, Mass./North Andover) lends additional experience after appearing in 11 contests last fall, while freshmen Taylor Reopell (South Dennis, Mass./Dennis-Yarmouth) and Jaclyn Labrecque (Sutton, Mass./Sutton) will be looking to make an impact during their inaugural campaigns in a Massachusetts Maritime uniform.

MIDFIELD.  Maynard and Newell (who is serving as a team co-captain for the second straight season) lead an experienced group in the middle for McCarey, a group that also includes juniors Shauna Callinan (West Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) and Kerri Conway (West Springfield, Mass./West Springfield), who was one of the Buccaneers’ top scorers during the team’s inaugural season in 2008.  Sophomores Kim Courcy (Warwick, R.I./Warwick), who netted a marker in an overtime setback at Wheelock, and Stephanie Saulenas (Tolland, Mass./Southwick-Tolland), will also play key roles in the midfield along with freshman Lauren Salem (Westfield, Mass./Westfield).

BACK.  Junior Colleen Fissette (Dracut, Mass./Dracut) returns to anchor the Massachusetts Maritime backline in 2010, as both she and Newell have been two-year starters for the Buccaneers.  Sophomore Laura Spalt (Harwichport, Mass./Harwich) returns after seeing action in seven contests a year ago, while senior Stephanie Lee (Acton, Mass./Scarsdale), a transfer from Division II Minnesota-Crookston, along with sophomore Janelle Beaulieu (Buzzards Bay, Mass./Mount St. Charles) and freshmen Crystal Sherman (Charlton, Mass./Shepherd Hill) and Raquel Salas (Salem, Conn./East Lyme), will be vying for spots in McCarey’s backfield.

GOAL.  Sophomore Rachel Johnson (South Chatham, Mass./Chatham) returns as the last line of defense for the Buccaneers, as she led the MASCAC with 203 saves in 15 outings as a rookie in 2009.  Courcy will serve as Johnson’s back-up in the Massachusetts Maritime net, as she made 34 stops in three appearances in the cage a year ago.

The building blocks are in place for the continued climb on the ladder of success for the Buccaneer women’s soccer team, as Massachusetts Maritime is set to begin its third season under Christine McCarey’s tutelage on Saturday, September 4^th when the Buccaneers entertain Newbury in a non-league match at Clean Harbors Stadium that begins at Noon EDT.