Reigning POY Petta sets sights on CAA crown

This continues our series of daily articles previewing each men's and women's college conference. All the conference previews can be found here.

The 2009 Colonial Athletic Association season was full of firsts, including a first-time conference champion in UNC Wilmington and a freshman Player of the Year in Northeastern’s Devin Petta. Can they do it again? Here’s a look at every CAA team’s chances in 2010.

UNC Wilmington captured its first-ever CAA crown as a dark horse in 2009, but with all eyes on the Seahawks in 2010, it will be difficult to repeat. Forward Stephanie Rose and midfielder Megan Novak caught opponents by surprise last year, and will have to handle higher expectations in 2010.

Northeastern rumbled to a regular season record of 12-4-3 in 2009, and a host of returning veterans make the Huskies dangerous again in 2010. Led by sophomore sensation Devin Petta, defender Sandra Magnusdottir and goalkeeper Stephanie Gordon, the Huskies have their eyes on the prize in 2010.

Junior midfielder Courtney Breen joins seniors Salma Tarik and Tiffany Yovino at the top of a deep Hofstra roster. After a disappointing early exit in the CAA playoffs in 2009, the Pride will have plenty of motivation to perform 2010.

At 14-4-2, George Mason had the best win percentage in the 2009 regular season, but was undone by a lackluster 6-3-2 mark in conference play. This year, senior midfielder Omolyn Davis and super sophomore Tiana Kallenberger hope to build on 2009’s promising campaign.

Despite finishing the 2009 regular season in fifth place, James Madison fought to the CAA championship game. The Duke Dogs will need to replace standouts Corky Julien and Teri Maykoski, but they are in good hands with senior midfielder Teresa Rynier taking on a leadership role.

William and Mary(w)’s strong suit is defense, with Diana Weigel and Kaitlin O’Connor anchoring the back. If the shots start falling on offense, the Tribe could be a pleasant surprise in 2010.

Two middling squads who both finished with .500 conference records in 2009, Delaware and Old Dominion don’t have much to excite the casual fan. Still, after promising rookie years, Delaware’s Tania Domingos and Old Dominion’s Ashlee Coutu have a chance to bring some life to the field.

Georgia State did not impress with a 1-5-5 record in 2009 conference play. But the Blue Panthers are not without talent, and senior goalkeeper Heidi Blankenship and sophomore forward Sarah Bennett will look to galvanize their team for a stronger 2010.

Towson loses forward Erica Marshall, its only breadwinner in 2009, with no one to fill her sizeable shoes in 2010. Coach Greg Paynter will need dynamic freshmen Jackie Henehan and Emily Banes to step in and contribute immediately.

After tying for last place in the CAA in 2009, VCU and Drexel face an uphill battle in 2010. All the weight will fall on the shoulders of VCU senior defender Myriam Bouchard and Drexel junior forward Jenna Lindsay if either team hopes to rise from the depths.