UTICA, NY – Although it is the offseason, the SUNYIT women's soccer team is already hard at work, as the Lady Wildcats took to the SUNYIT streets, pool and indoor facility this week to begin its preparations for their "Play Day," which will take place on April 25 at the campus of Utica College.

The team began its routine this past Tuesday and will continue to do so every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through the month of April leading up to Play Day, which will consist of three 50-minute matches against local rival Utica College (10:00 am), NEAC rival Cazenovia College (11:00 am) and Hartwick College (1:00 pm or 2:00 pm, exact time still to be determined).

Head Coach Tyler Renaud, who has 11 returning ladies from this past fall season and two new additions from the existing student body, is excited about the team's enthusiasm and business-like approach to the nontraditional season. 

"I think for the most part the ladies recognize we fell short of our goals this past fall, and took to heart my recommendation that they continue to condition themselves and work out on their own time leading up to the first nontraditional season for any of them since being here at SUNYIT," explained Renaud.

The squad is anticipated to have 15 newcomers on its roster for preseason in mid-August, and Renaud will officially announce those additions – as well as detail the skills that each of them bring to the program – once all of those student-athletes have officially enrolled at SUNYIT.

"I am very excited about our recruiting class, as we have some talented young ladies already committed who have the capacity to start and deepen our bench at the same time," Renaud said.  "They have already contacted me about spring/summer workout routines and are dedicated to making us a stronger squad for 2010."

At the conclusion of the Play Day, Coach Renaud will announce his three team captains for the 2010 season, which will also be posted on the team's home page on the SUNYIT Athletics Web site shortly thereafter.