THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke kicks off its 2011 campaign versus non-conference foe Regis College this evening at the Turf Field. This will be the first ever meeting between the twoprograms. The Lyons wrapped up their 2010 season with an overall record of 11-6. They went 5-3 in league play and advanced to the NEWMAC Tournament for the 12th year in a row. Regis posted a 4-12 mark last fall. Match Program

THE LYONS: Mount Holyoke (0-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) enters the 2011 season with high expectations, as a talented group of newcomers join a solid core of returning veterans. Longtime head coach Andy Whitcomb will once again look to Shara Robertson to pace the Lyons on the offensive end this fall. Last season, the forward racked up team highs of 41 points and 19 goals. Six of her tallies went down as match winners. Robertson will be joined up front by Stephanie Slysz and Jess Fajardo, who combined for 13 goals last season. Mount Holyoke's midfield will feature Taylor Hedges, who dished out a squad best seven assists in 2010. Meanwhile, Tricia Chase will also return to anchor the team's defensive unit. She will play in front of veteran goalkeeper Katie Gibson, who recorded a goals against average of 1.37 last fall.

THE PRIDE: Regis (0-1, 0-0 NECC) suffered a 2-0 setback in its season opener against Framingham State University on Saturday. Goalkeeper Genesiz Gudiel came up with four saves for the Pride, who finished with a 15-11 advantage in the shot column. After competing in the Commonwealth Coast Conference in recent years, Regis has joined the New England Collegiate Conference this season. The Pride were picked to finish in fifth place by the league's coaches. Third year head coach Lisa LeVierge will look to veterans Meghan Robohm, Victoria Pappas and Chelsea Morrison to anchor her squad, as they make the transition to their new conference. Last fall, Pappas finished second on the team in goals with four, while Morrison added a pair of tallies. 

NEXT UP: Both squads will resume play on the road on Saturday. Mount Holyoke will visit Castleton State College at 1:00 p.m., while Regis will travel to Thomas College for a match beginning at noon.