By Stephen Cooney

CAA Confrence play opens this weekend for men’s soccer. Play will open with a full schedule as all 12 teams are in action. Old Dominion was picked to finish first while Hofstra was slated to finish second in the coaches’ poll.

VCU(4-1-2)-Andrew Dykstra became the CAA Player of the Week when he recorded five saves in his fourth shutout in a VCU tie with North Carolina on September 29. Dykstra’s 20th save came on a diving catch in the second overtime. This shut out lowered his league leading GAA to .42. VCU has not given up more then one goal in its last 10 matches. The Rams open conference play with Drexel and Delaware this weekend.

Drexel (3-2-2)-Drexel’s Nate Baker was named CAA Rookie of the Week. Baker’s first goal ended a 202-minute scoreless drought for the Dragons. Baker, a freshman forward, recorded a second goal for the Dragons en route to victory against Iona on September 29. Drexel opens conference play with James Madison and VCU.

Delaware (0-6-1)-Delaware remains winless after being shut out for a fifth time in a September 26 loss to St. Peters. The Blue Hens are scoreless in their last 191:14 minutes. Conference play opens for the Blue Hens with VCU and James Madison.

George Mason (3-3-1)-George Mason opened a three game home stand on September 7 with a loss to St. Peters. The Patriots out shot St. Peters 15-12, but gave up two early goals that they could not overcome. They open conference play and continue their home stand against UNC Wilmington and Georgia State.

Georgia State (3-3-1)-Georgia State was inactive last week but opens conference play this week at Towson and George Mason.

James Madison (1-4-3)-James Madison lost in its fifth strait overtime contest on September 27. The Dukes open conference play this weekend with home games against Drexel and Delaware.

UNC Wilmington (1-5-1)-UNC Wilmington is on a three game losing streak after falling to Duke 5-0 on September 25. The Seahawks opens CAA play this weekend with George Mason and Towson.

Northeastern (2-5)-Northeastern has been off since September 22 match at UMASS. They will open CAA play this weekend with Old Dominion and William and Mary.

Old Dominion (3-4-1)-Old Dominion recorded a 1-0 double overtime victory over the Richmond Spiders on September 29. ODU out shot the Spiders 28-9. They continue a five game home stand against conference foes North Eastern and Hofstra.

Towson (3-3-1)-Towson dropped a double overtime game to California on September 29. They will look to bounce back when they host Georgia State and UNC Wilmington to open conference play.

William and Mary (3-4-2)-William and Mary has started five freshmen over their last six games. W&M recorded a victory on September 25 over American and a loss on the 29 to Stony Brooke. Since starting the five freshmen, William and Mary has gone 2-2-2. They open conference play against Northeastern and Hofstra.