Women's Soccer Kicks Off Tonight at BU

The wait for the 2012-13 athletic year is officially over.  The Central Connecticut women's soccer team will travel to Boston to open the season on the road at Boston University tonight at 7 p.m.

The Blue Devils played a pair of scrimmages last week in preparation for this year.  They played to a 1-1 draw with St. John's, before erupting for a 4-0 win over Manhattan on Sunday night.  Each class pitched in in the victory as sophomore Kerriann Welch, senior Cara Cavallari, junior Jewel Robinson and freshman Alysa Christo all scored.

The Blue Devils are coming off of a 5-7-5 season (2-5-3 NEC) in 2011 and have 17 players returning in 2012. Junior captains Nikola Deiter and Robinson look to lead Central to its 10th Northeast Conference Tournament in the last 11 seasons this fall. Deiter started all 17 games in goal last year.  Robinson was a First Team All-Conference and All-New England selection after her sophomore campaign.

Central was picked fifth in the preseason NEC coaches poll.  Historically Central Connecticut has produced one of the most successful teams in the NEC.  Last season's finish marked the first time the Blue Devils have been out of the regular season top-four since the 2001 season.  That year they finished fifth.

Head Coach Mick D'Arcy is entering his 13th season at the helm of the Blue Devils.  He posts a record of 126-92-23 during his time in New Britain.  His teams have qualified for the NEC Tournament in nine of the last 10 seasons.  Central has won seven NEC titles during its time in the NEC.

Boston University is coming off of a record-breaking 19-3-1 season with the most wins in Terrier history. BU advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament and finished the 2011 season ranked No. 17 in the nation. 

Fans can follow tonight's action with LIVE VIDEO (for a fee) or can follow LIVE STATS.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.