(Canton, N.Y.)- Head coach Al Benda will pull double-duty this fall when he coaches both the men and women's soccer teams. Benda previously coached both teams in 2002 and 2003 and led both teams into the postseason both years. Benda returns seven players from last year's team that won the Sunrise Conference championship and advanced to the NAIA national tournament in Florida.

Leading the offense will be junior midfielder/forward and leading scorer Niki Perkins who had 17 goals and 13 assists for 47 points. Perkins was named to the all-Sunrise Conference Team and was an NAIA Honorable Mention selection and has scored 103 points in two seasons at SUNY Canton. Also back on offense is sophomore forward Justine Monahan who had 17 goals and 38 points as a freshman; sophomore forward Ashley Winfield who scored six goals as a freshman; and junior midfielder Aimee Bookmiller who had one goal and three assists as a sophomore.

Newcomers on offense include Emily Fuller, an all-Northern at Edward-Knox Central School; Cierra Wells, an all-Northern at Madrid-Waddington Central School; and Jessica Brosch from Pulaski High School.

Senior Vanessa Badlam returns to anchor the defense. Badlam joined Perkins on the all-Sunrise Conference Team and was also an NAIA Honorable Mention selection after scoring two goals and six points in her junior campaign. Junior Jackie Maynard from Brasher Falls also returns with Badlam on defense.

Joining Badlam and Maynard on the back line will be freshman Nikita Foster from Salmon River Central School and Courtney Averill from Edwards-Knox Central School. Wells could also see time on defense.

Sophomore Aubrey Parrish will be the Roos goalie in 2008 after playing midfield last year. Parrish netted three goals as a freshman.

The Roos open their season on August 29 when they host SUNY Potsdam at 7 p.m. and then open their conference season on Sept. 13 when they host Vermont Technical College.