While many Wooster students were at home saying goodbye to friends and family in preparation for their return to campus, the men and women’s soccer teams were in preseason practices.† Both teams hit the field for an intense week of training that was full of sweat and high aspirations.

Despite last year’s discouraging overall record of 4-10-2, the men’s soccer team has an optimistic outlook for 2010.† Midfielder Brian Holmes† ë11 believes this year’s season is already looking up, thanks to “some talented first-years who have come in and already proven that they can contribute.”

With the loss of six starting graduates, new players could be key to getting the Scots back on the winning track.† However, heads will also be turning to valued returners, such as goalkeeper Taylor Takacs ’12.† Takacs has led the North Coast Athletic Conference in saves for the past two seasons and maintained an impressive save percentage of .776 in 2009.

Albeit a young women’s squad last year, “we have a strong returning team this year,” Elizabeth Mott ’11, forward and captain reports.

Though they started strong, the team seemed to unravel before season’s end.† Disappointed with their last few games in 2009 conference play, head coach David “Geordie” Brown hopes the team will “be a year older, smarter and better.”† Brown also believes the team has “enough talent to compete in the top half of the conference.”

A total of 22 goals scored throughout her career makes Mott the team’s leading goal scorer, as well as an important starter in this year’s line-up.† Teamed with attacker Paige Piper ’13, who scored five goals in addition to two assists last year as a first-year, the two are sure to be a dynamic duo on the front line.

Mott and Piper’s support at midfield will be a little different this year, as third-team all-region defender Kelsey Peters ’12 will be stepping up.† After scoring four goals and an assist last fall, Peters has proven herself to be an asset to the team’s offensive game in addition to leading the defense.

The women’s team played their first game Wednesday at 5pm at Carl Dale Memorial Field. At press time, mott said the team hoped to be “looking [to] come out strong on Wednesday to start what will hopefully be an awesome season.”

Holmes also shares a positive mindset, “look out for some good things to come from us this year.”

The men’s team will be kicking off their season at Otterbein today at 5:00.