PIKE CREEK, Del. – The Goldey-Beacom College men's soccer team, led by 13^th year head coach Dr. Michael Finizio, opens its 2010 season on the road Sat. afternoon against West Chester University at 5 p.m.

GBC was originally scheduled to open the season on Thurs., Sept. 2 with a home game against Lincoln, but the game has been postponed to a later date still to be determined.

Saturday's showdown with the Golden Rams is the second game of a weekend tournament hosted by West Chester. The first game features Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference member Wilmington taking on Mercy College at 3 p.m. On Sunday, Goldey-Beacom will play Mercy at 12 p.m. and Wilmington vs. West Chester will follow thereafter.   

The Lightning, picked ninth in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference pre-season coaches poll, are looking to improve upon a 6-12 (4-7 CACC) record in 2009. They were upended 3-0 in an exhibition Alumni Game, but bounced back with an impressive 3-0 victory in a scrimmage against Del Tech to end the pre-season 1-1.

“Overall, this year's team is relatively young, but includes very capable and experienced players,” Finizio, who enters this season with 90 career coaching wins at GBC, said. “A realistic, yet challenging goal is a .500 season, but we know that this group's focus and determination will push the players toward even greater objectives.”

GBC returns 11 players from last year's squad while making eight valuable additions in the offseason. Finizio anticipates the return of graduate senior Chris Casey after he missed nearly the entire 2009 season with an offseason injury. Casey scored six points (two goals, two assists) for the Lightning in 2008.

The Lightning will also rely on sophomores Matt Bik and Mariano Olcese, who, according to Finizio, were strong protagonists in their late playoff push that allowed them to secure the eighth and final CACC playoff spot in 2009.