The Kansas Wesleyan Women's Soccer team opens its 2010 season on Wednesday against Benedictine College at 8 p.m., at Salina Stadium.

The contest between the Coyotes and Ravens also kicks off the 2010-2011 athletic season for all the KWU athletic teams.

Wesleyan comes into the match after a 12-6-2 season in 2009, but aspirations are high under the direction of sixth year coach Mike Dibbini, who has led the Coyote women to an 80-20-8 record, three KCAC Regular Season Championships and four KCAC Tournament Championships.

The Coyotes look to regain the dominance of the KCAC that they enjoyed for three straight seasons winning titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008 with perfect 9-0 conference records. Dibbini points out that the goal scoring power the Coyotes lacked in 2009 is back thanks to the addition of a couple key transfer players at forward in Dani Benton and Diana Ravenda.

"Dani and Diana bring a different element," Dibbini said. "We have other athletic players that can pass and can find the back of the net or be able to cause enough havoc to get others open to create opportunities to score, but Dani and Diana have a great understanding on how to finish and when to finish. They are filling that void left by Kat Benton and Eliana Parada after the 2008 season."

The Coyotes are also looking towards a strengthened corps at midfield led by returning KCAC Co-Newcomer of the Year Corina Villegas along with returner Elba Menjivar and freshman Makenna Eide.

The KWU defense has a whole year of experience under its belt and will continue to put up a formidable wall between the opponents and the net.

Benedictine has already opened its season with a 3-0 win over Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) on Friday evening. The Ravens got goals from three different players in the match, including one from Salina native Kate Zackary, who led the Ravens with six shots.

Lincoln Roblee is in his sixth season leading Benedictine and took the Ravens to a program-best No.9 ranking last season en route to a 13-4-2 record.

After Wednesday's season opener, the Coyote women will join the men's team and head to Sioux City, Iowa to take on Morningside College on Saturday. The women return home for a Labor Day contest with Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) at 10 a.m., before embarking on a nearly month-long road trip, not playing at home again until October 6 vs. Bethel College. The KWU men will play its home opener on September 19 against Westminster (Utah).

-- KWU SI --