Oakland, CA - Over the last five seasons no other Hawks team has had the conference winning success of Men's Soccer. Since 2005 the Hawks have posted an impressive 44-2 conference record. This year they return 14 starters, as well as, adding 10 new recruits to the already deep bench. The Hawks top recruits include Scott MacCoubrey from Wales, Martin Maestretti of Argentina, and Tom Davies of Australia.

So, we ask ourselves, what has been the Hawks downfall? Because the Hawks possess so much talent, they have no problem getting through conference, the problem becomes, who are they playing in the preseason?

This year Holy Names has scheduled 4 of its 6 preseason games against GSAC schools, two of which were nationally ranked and the other two; because they play in the GSAC, they get to play against the nation's best on any given night.

Holy Names will play two exhibition games against NCAA and CCAA affiliates, Notre Dame de Namur University and CSU, Stanislaus before hitting the road and opening in Azusa Pacific University.

The Cougars who finished ranked #14 in the country last year and finished 2nd in a pretty competitive GSAC finished the year 8-2 in conference play and 16-3 overall. They lose 6 from their last year's starting line-up, including senior goalkeeper Tyler Stromberg, one of two players to start all 19 games for the Cougars.

The Hawks will then travel to Santa Barbara to take on the young and talented Warriors team. Westmont finished last season at .500 in conference at 5-5 and 8-7-1 overall. They lose 5 seniors from last year's team, but only two were starters. Westmont had a hard time last year beating the upper half of the conference, but with so much young talent, they are bound to be better this coming year.

The Hawks then travel back home to face a neighboring CCAA program in San Francisco State University. The Gators had a rough year last year finishing last in the North division with a 3-9-4 conference record and 6-10-4 overall record. They lost six players from last season's team and return with a heavy senior team this year with 6 on the roster.

After only a two day break the Hawks get a rematch of last season NAIA National Tournament game, against the Mustangs of The Masters College. The Mustangs who are the reigning GSAC Conference Champs as well as runners-up in last year National Tournament game return a heavy senior roster. Eight of its 18 on the roster are seniors. Last season they finished with an impressive 9-1 conference record and 19-3-3 overall, this is including a 3-3 tie game and 1-0 win to the Hawks.

Following a tough four game start to the season, the Hawks get a much deserved 7 day break before hopping on the road to take on the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific University. The Sunbirds will be the last game of the pre-season before starting Cal Pac Conference play. This would be a good game for Holy Names to win, just to get moment going into conference. Fresno Pacific has dropped off a slightly since the 2006 season when they finished second in conference and ranked #6 in the country. Last season they finished 6th in the conference with a conference record of 4-4-2 and subpar overall record of 8-8-2. The Sunbirds lose 10 seniors from last season's team, and will look to a younger group of guys this year to fill those voids.

Holy Names will then begin conference. This year looks to be an interesting year, because even though the Hawks have not lost much, it seems as though everyone else has.

The Oaks of Menlo College lost 7 seniors from last season's team. They finished the year in 4th with a 5-5 conference record and 5-10 overall. The Hawks swept the Oaks by a total score of 11-1.

Next is the Warriors of William Jessup University, who handed the Hawks their first conference loss since 2005. William Jessup losses 4 players from last season's 3rd place team and will look to hand the Hawks another upset win. The Warriors finished the year 7-4-1 in conference and 8-8-1 overall.

The Red Hawks of Simpson University will also lose 4, but return 20 players from last year's 6th place team. Simpson finished 3-9 in conference play and 3-13 overall. The Hawks beat the Red Hawks by a total score of 8-0.

The Bruins of Bethany University return this year with a heavy roster of juniors and seniors, 13 in total. After a 4-8 conference and 5-10 overall the Bruins will look to improve on their 5th place finish.

Cal Maritime finished last season 0-10, but a much improved Keelhaulers team will look to be better this year. Under the direction of Coach of the Year Adam Christodoulou, the Keelhaulers will finish better this upcoming year. They lose 5 from last year's team, but I am sure Coach Adam will bring in some talent, as well as, improve the skills of the current players.

Finally, the much improved Pioneers of Pacific Union College. After finishing in the bottom half of the conference since the conference existed, the Pioneers were the surprise of the year. They finished in a school's best 2nd place with a conference record of 9-2-1 and 9-3-1 overall record. They will look to surprise the Hawks this year as they return first team all conference players; sophomore goalkeeper Randy Castanza, senior mid-fielder Brandon Voight, and second team all conference forward Edrei Mauries.

This year seems to be a good year for the Hawks once again, but only time will tell, so come out and support your Hawks as they continue to make history.