The Anderson University men’s and women’s soccer teams will open the 2008 season on Friday with a pair of contests against Adrian College. The men will kickoff the season at 3 p.m. and be followed by the women at 5 p.m.

On the men’s side, leading scorer Peter Boberg returns for his senior season. Boberg led the Ravens in goals (4), points (9) and steals (47) last year. Matt Young, who tied Boberg for the team lead in goals, is also back for his sophomore season.

Other returning starters for the men include juniors Charlie Barleycorn (61 intercepts), Paul Hill (1510 minutes), Stephen Harkleroad (2 assists) and Nate Salsgiver.

Other returnees include seniors Stephen Girt, Nick Deitrich, Dane Masuda, Teofil Bonaciu and Jordan Hobbs.

The Ravens play their first three games at home before traveling to John Carroll (Sept. 5-6) for a two-game tournament. They open HCAC play on the road at Franklin on Sept. 20 an finish the conference slate against Hanover on Nov. 1.

On the women’s side, All-HCAC senior Mary Deitrich led the Ravens in goals (7), points (16) and steals (52). Other returning staters are seniors Kelsey Alcorn, Julie Cline, juniors Carlie Clark, Katie Lopolito and sophomore Elisabeth South.

For the fourth consecutive year, Anderson University will partner with Stretch Internet in broadcasting Raven athletic events during the 2008-09 seasons.

During the fall, Stretch will carry 33 sporting events, including all 10 Raven football games, including the season-opener on the new synthetic turf under the lights against arch-rival Taylor at 7 p.m.

In addition to football, there were be 10 men’s soccer games, 10 women’s soccer contests and three volleyball matches in the fall schedule. The men’s and women’s soccer season openers against Spalding on Aug. 30 will both be carried live as well as the Sept. 3 home opener in volleyball against Indiana Wesleyan.

Former AU wrestling, baseball and football coach and alumnus Dave Edwards will be providing live play-by-play on the internet for all events during the 2008-09 year.

The Anderson University men’s and women’s soccer teams were selected to finish fifth and seventh, respectively, in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference pre-season coaches poll.

On the men’s side, Transylvania was picked to finish first with 79 points, including eight first-place votes. Manchester received the other first-place vote.

Rose-Hulman was selected second with 67 points followed by Manchester (64), Hanover (54), Anderson (39), Defiance (32), Franklin (31), Mt. St. Joseph (23) and Bluffton (16).

AU, who finished 4-11-1 overall and 3-5 in the HCAC, opens the season at home against Adrian on Aug. 29 at 3 p.m.

On the women’s side, the Pioneers were also selected to finish first with 73 points, including two first-place votes. Rose-Hulman had four first-place votes and Manchester three.

Rose-Hulman was selected second with 70 points followed by Mt. St. Joseph (69), Manchester (52), Hanover (44), Defiance (34), Anderson (28), Bluffton (21) and Franklin (14).

AU, who finished 4-13-2 overall and 1-6-1 in the HCAC, opens the season at home against Adrian on Aug. 29 at 5 p.m.

The Anderson University soccer program will have its annual Anderson Soccer Camps for the 14th year in the summer of 2008.

The Anderson University men’s and women’s soccer teams have been awarded the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the 2007 season.

Anderson University junior Mary Schueneman has been named to the All Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference 1st Team in women’s soccer for the 2007 season.

Spending the past week overseas facing the some of the best international soccer teams Europe has to offer, the Anderson University men and women soccer teams concluded their playing schedule last Friday on a positive note.