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One year after its first final four appearance, Virginia Tech will have to compensate for the early departure of all-American F Patrick Nyarko (Chicago Fire) and the exit of four Europeans. The Hokies, who open the season tonight in the Pilots Classic in Portland, Ore., have been selected to finish fifth in the ACC, three slots behind Maryland and one ahead of Virginia.
The Cavaliers, seeking their 28th consecutive NCAA tournament berth, welcome St. John's, Southern Methodist and Old Dominion to their opening tournament today. Coach George Gelnovatch has 12 newcomers in hopes of replacing F Yannick Reyering (now the place kicker for the football team after his soccer eligibility ended) and MF Chris Tierney (New England Revolution).
George Mason, American, George Washington and Howard kick off the season in the D.C. College Cup today and Sunday at AU's Reeves Field. The Patriots will attempt to return to the NCAA tournament after a 5-11-2 mark last year, while AU's aim is to qualify for the four-team Patriot League tournament. The Colonials were picked to finish sixth in the 14-team Atlantic 10. Michael Lawrence, an assistant for four seasons, is the Bison's third head coach in as many years.
Georgetown is expected to finish sixth in the eight-team Blue Division of the Big East. Navy will try to recover from a winless Patriot League campaign.
WOMEN
Virginia, picked third in the difficult ACC, returns nine starters, including under-23 national team D Nikki Krzysik. Maryland and Virginia Tech share the No. 8 selection in the 11-team conference.
Georgetown is among the better teams in the Big East but will be without MF Ingrid Wells, who is skipping the season to prepare for the Under-20 World Cup in Chile in November. Navy, anchored by preseason defensive player of the year choice Shelly Moeller, is favored in the Patriot.
American and George Mason are expected to finish in the middle of the pack in the Patriot and Colonial, respectively, while George Washington is picked for 10th among 14 teams in the Atlantic 10. Howard looks to rebound from a 3-16 season.
-- Steven Goff
