Jennie Vroman, who received All-Centennial Conference honorable mention in 2000, is Muhlenberg’s lone senior.

Muhlenberg opens its season this weekend with a pair of games in San Antonio. The first game is against Trinity, which went 20-2 last year to reach the NCAA semifinals and is ranked third in the preseason Division III poll.

The Mules were 15-4-2 (8-1-1 CC) in 2000, tying the school record for wins and earning their first bid to the NCAA Tournament. They advanced to the second round before falling to the eventual national champion, The College of New Jersey.

One of the strengths of the team was a defense that allowed only 15 goals in 21 matches and returns intact in 2001. Junior Katy Hawkins and sophomores Monica Jones and Katrina Custance form the back three in front of junior goalie Kim Laurino, the program’s all-time leader with a career goals-against average of 0.68.

Offensively, the Mules lost three of their top four scorers from a year ago and 22 of their 42 goals. The lone returning starter at forward is Dawn Iberer, who had a sensational freshman season, scoring a team-high 14 goals and earning All-CC first-team honors. Senior Jennie Vroman, who has played defense and midfield during her Muhlenberg career, will be moved forward to help provide scoring punch.

In the midfield, the Mules graduated their first All-American, who also was the 2000 CC player of the year. Junior Jamie Gluck returns to her starting spot at central midfield, where she will be joined by sophomore Courtney Levine. Junior Michele Zito and sophomores Sharon Seggel, Jennifer Gitto and Lauren Pilger will compete for starting time along with several newcomers.