WILMINGTON, North Carolina - The UNCW women's soccer team will open the 2010 season this weekend with a pair of games against in-state foes Wake Forest and Davidson.

The Seahawks begin the season Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff against the nationally-ranked Demon Deacons at the UNCW Soccer Stadium before traveling to Davidson for a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday at Alumni Stadium.

Live stats are available for both games and can be accessed by clicking on the link above. UNCWsports.com will also conduct a live chat during the Wake Forest contest that can be viewed by accessing the live stats page. Live video will be available for the Davidson matchup and can be accessed by clicking on the live video link above.  

The Seahawks return seven starters and 19 letterwinners from last season's squad that posted a 13-8-1 overall mark and captured the program's first CAA Tournament title. Veteran coach Paul Cairney's lineup is highlighted by a pair of All-CAA performers in senior Megan Novak and sophomore Stephanie Rose as well as sophomore Lindsay Henry, who was a CAA All-Rookie Team selection a year ago.  

 UNCW was victorious in its only pre-season exhibition contest, a 3-0 victory over Elon last Saturday at the UNCW Soccer Stadium. The Seahawks struck early and often against the Phoenix, scoring all three of its goals in the opening 23 minutes of the contest while keepers junior Chandler Follett and sophomore Caitlin Hunter combined to for the shutout.

The Demon Deacons enter the 2010 season with their highest pre-season ranking in program history as they were tabbed 10th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's pre-season poll. Wake Forest returns five starters and 14 letterwinners from last year's squad that made the program's first NCAA Tournament quarterfinals appearance. Coach Tony da Luz's squad was victorious in its only pre-season contest as it blanked BIG EAST foe West Virginia, 2-0, last Saturday at Spry Stadium.

The reigning Southern Conference champions, Davidson welcomes back seven starters and 16 letterwinners from last season's squad that made its first NCAA Tournament Appearance last season. The Wildcats are led by a pair of pre-season All So-Con selections in Allison Drutchas and Amanda Flink. Drutchas serves as the Wildcats' top returning scorer with eight points (3 G, 2 A), followed by senior Callan Elswick with seven points (2 G, 3A).

UNCW returns to action Aug. 25 with a 7 p.m. contest against Francis Marion.