The Alabama A&M women’s soccer team is entering the 2009 season full force with the majority of the members from last year’s squad returning. The biggest loss from the 2008 campaign is four-time all-SWAC selection Belinda Kanda, who finished her collegiate career as one of the best women’s soccer players in Alabama A&M history. The Bulldogs, however, are preparing to make their mark in the SWAC and win their third conference title. A&M captured its first ever SWAC championship in 2003, and then most recently in 2007.

The Bulldogs return senior Defender and Preseason first team all-SWAC selection junior LeTisha Davis. Davis has been a consistent contributor on both the offensive and defensive end. In the ’08 season, she scored six goals for A&M and was named to the Middle Tennessee State University all-tournament team. Celeste Roberts is expected to be a consistent contributor and should partially help fill the void left by Kanda. She was recently selected to the preseason all-SWAC first team. Last season, Roberts was second on the team in goals scored with seven on the year. After a year of collegiate competition under her belt, Roberts should have a breakout sophomore year.

A&M will begin its journey to a SWAC title on September 21 when it opens up the 2009 season at home against Troy University beginning at 4pm.