Here is a position-by-position look at the Hofstra Women's Soccer team, heading into the 2009 season:

Goalie

Krystal Robens set a school record with 12 shutouts in 2007, and was the regular starter in goal for the last two seasons. In 2006, though, Robens split time in net with then-freshman Krysten Farriella, who missed the 2007 season with a knee injury. Farriella is 100 percent healthy this year, giving the Pride an experienced veteran to fill in the void left by Robens' graduation. Farriella appeared in five games last season, including one start when she picked up seven saves in a 2-1 loss to East Carolina. She also combined with Robens for 1-0 shutouts in wins over Princeton and Towson. Incoming freshman Kylie Shuster from Cedar Park High School in Texas will also look to challenge for playing time in her rookie season. 

Defense

Hofstra graduated starting center backs Kariena Richards and Marie Curtin, as well as outside back Sara Gulley. Senior Jess Crankshaw, who shared the CAA Defensive Player of the Year Award last year, is back for her fifth season (she injured her knee in 2006 after four games and qualified for a medical red-shirt) and will be the lone returning starter on the Pride's back four. In addition to being a strong defender, Crankshaw is a dangerous weapon on offense with her ability to serve crosses into the box from anywhere up the right sideline. She has 16 career assists, which ranks seventh in school history.

The other spots will need to be filled in by either new faces or veterans changing positions. Seniors Diane Caldwell of Ireland and Erika Fuertes of Long Island (Upper Brookville) have seen most of their playing time in their Hofstra careers at the offensive end of the field, but could slide back onto the defensive unit this year. Caldwell is a strong, physical presence at 5-9 who can handle center back duties, while Fuertes' speed makes her a strong candidate to fill an outside back position, where she saw some minutes last season. Junior Dana Bergstrom, who possesses a strong left foot, also played forward last year after transferring from Syracuse, but could see time at left back. Sophomore Katja Riihiaho of Finland and red-shirt freshman Brooke Bendernagel of Long Island (Smithtown) will be in the competition for playing time on the defensive unit (with Bendernagel competing at center back and Riihiaho on the outside).

Incoming freshmen Britt Farriella, the younger sister of goalkeeper Krysten Farriella, and Amy Turner will also put up strong challenges for starting spots on the Pride's back four this fall.

Midfield

Unlike the back four, Hofstra has the luxury of returning its starting midfield unit completely in tact. Junior Tiffany Yovino is a two-time All-CAA selection, while sophomores Courtney Breen and Brittany Butts were both named to the CAA All-Rookie team last year (Breen also earned second team All-CAA honors).

Yovino tied for team-high honors last year with 14 points and has shown her versatility in her young career, playing defensive midfield as a freshman (earning freshman All-America honors) and then taking on more of an attacking role last year. She is Hofstra's most dangerous attacking player with the ball at her feet, as her quickness and ability to change direction in the open field make her a difficult player to mark.

Breen, meanwhile, stepped into the defensive midfield spot early in the 2008 season and thrived in that role. At 5-8, she displayed the ability to cover physical offensive players and win balls in the air, while her composure with the ball at her feet allowed her to play with a level of steadiness that belied her freshman status.

Butts had a solid freshman season as well, displaying the ability to break down defenders and create scoring chances. Her talent, speed and skill level will almost certainly allow her to increase her offensive productivity this fall now that she has a full season under her belt. 

Sophomore Nicki Choffel saw action in several games last season and could also provide a valuable weapon in the Pride's midfield rotation. Caldwell also started in the midfield in Hofstra's 18-4 season from two years ago and could play there this season if needed.

Forward

Hofstra rotated several players at three forward positions last year and will likely have a similar system this fall. Junior Salma Tarik transferred from Cal State Northridge last year and proved to be a crafty finisher in the box, finishing the season with a team-high six goals. She scored in three straight games at one point, in conference wins over UNC Wilmington, Georgia State and VCU.

Junior Kayla Pifer has also been a consistent contributor at forward in her first two seasons, including an assist in the Pride's 1-0 win over Ohio State in the 2007 NCAA Tournament, while senior Jill Lipari will be looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued junior season and return to the form that had her a regular in the starting line-up as a freshman. Sophomore Laura Greene, meanwhile provided a tremendous spark off the bench last year with her speed in the open field, including the game-winning goal with a minute to play in a 2-1 win over VCU, and could see her role expand.

Redshirt freshman Erin Breen (Courtney's twin sister) will get a long look this fall as a potential target forward, while Bergstrom, Fuertes and Caldwell could also remain in the forward rotation if the Pride can find newcomers capable of filling in the holes in the back four. Incoming freshmen Danielle Murino (22 goals at Connetquot High School on Long Island last season) and Krysti Rodriguez (all-time leading goal scorer at Stone Bridge High School in Virginia) were both dominant scorers at the scholastic level and will likely push the returning players for playing time.