Fall Previews / Connecticut College

CROSS COUNTRY/MEN

Coach: Jim Butler (26th season)

Key returnees: Jr. Michael LeDuc, Sr. Tim Murtagh, Sr. Andrew Duarte, So. Patrick Dermody, Sr. Tristan Cole, Sr. Matt Boudreau, Sr. Jeff Beling, Sr. Billy Martinsky, Sr. Matt Gitkind, Jr. Drew Majkut.

Outlook: LeDuc, a two-time All-American in track, will shoot for similar honors in cross country and is the clear leader of the Camels. He placed seventh in the New England Small College Athletic Conference championship meet in 2011 and was 41st in the New England Division III meet. Murtagh and Duarte will also be key contributors along with Dermody, who is healthy again after missing the outdoor track season with an injury. "This should be a fun year," Butler said. "We will have one of the largest teams I have coached here due to the influx of 10 freshmen, and they will have excellent leadership from our returning upperclassmen."

CROSS COUNTRY/WOMEN

Coach: Ned Bishop (27th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Michelle Wesley, Sr. Merry Byrne, Sr. Katie Beers, Sr. Maura Hallisey, Sr. Catherin Hallisey, Jr. Grace Glynn, So. Heather Rochford, So. Amy Klopp, Jr. Marisa Shields.

Outlook: It should be an interesting fall for the Camels, who lost their top four runners, but have five freshmen capable of breaking into the top seven, according to Bishop. Wesley was a consistent No. 5 runner for Conn in 2011, and Bishop welcomes back Byrne and Beers, who spent the 2011 season studying abroad. The Camels will use the early-season invitational schedule to gain experience and hope to get their young runners ready for the postseason.

FIELD HOCKEY

Coach: Debbie Lavigne (12th season)

Key returnees: Sr. D Emily Scribner, Sr. F Brittany Fitzgerald, Jr. F Laura Sanderson, Sr. M Kelsey Nickerson, Jr. M Andrea Hoisington, Jr. M Kat Barker, So. G Becca Napolitano.

Outlook: Lavigne has guided the Camels to back-to-back NESCAC tournamament appearances and Conn has the pieces in place to be a postseason threat again. Fitzgerald (10 goals, 5 assists) and Sanderson (4 goals, 1 assist) form a potent 1-2 threat up front, Hoisington and Nickerson are dangerous midfielders and Napolitano provides the Camels with great stability in goal after allowing just 2.37 goals per game as a freshman.

SOCCER/MEN

Coach: Ken Murphy (5th season)

Key returnees: So. F Kevin O'Brien, Jr. F Billy Hawkey, Sr. F Graham Christensen, Sr. B Winslow Murdoch, Sr. JM Nick Maghenzani, Jr. M Randy Pearce, Jr. G Casey Marini, Jr. M Kevin Burt, So. B Zach Punt.

Outlook: The Camels, who went 9-5-1 a year ago (5-4-1 in the NESCAC), must gain some experience quickly in the backfield after losing three key contributors - including All-Region performer Isaac Hancock. O'Brien (five goals) is coming off a solid freshman season and Hawkey (four goals) gives Conn a second dangerous striker. Marini (four shutouts) returns in goal. Murphy expects Punt to have a breakout season in the midfield.

SOCCER/WOMEN

Coach: Norm Riker (2nd season)

Key returnees: So. F Grace Bilodeau , So. F-M Rebecca Parente, So. M Astrid Kempainen, Sr. F Tori Frank, Sr. G Amy Lowitt, So. G Natalie Signor, Jr. Sr. M Ali McKeigure.

Outlook: The Camels finished 4-9-1 in Riker's first season, but played nearly .500 soccer after an 0-3 start. Conn is young this season with 20 newcomers to the program, so how they blend in with the returning players will be the key to a successful season. Bilodeau (six goals) played well as a freshman, Kempainen has the ability to dominate in the midfield and McKeigue provides experience and stability in the midfield.

VOLLEYBALL

Coach: Josh Edmed (11th season)

Key returnees: Sr. RS-S Rachel Schroff, Sr. S Katie Ketchum, So. OH Bianca Smith, Sr. L-DS Carly Guiducci, So. MN Anelise Hohl.

Outlook: The Camels have been consistent winners under Edmed's guidance, posting at least 18 wins for the past six years and making seven straight NESCAC tournament appearances. The 2012 Camels hope to keep theses streaks going, although seven of Conn's 15 players are newcomers. Still, Schroff (264 kills) and Ketcham (9.37 assists per set) are two of the NESCAC's top returning players and will provide guidance for the new players.