RADFORD, Va. -- Radford field hockey opens its season this weekend at Ohio University. The Highlanders open up with the host Bobcats at Pruitt Field on Friday at 3 p.m. and close out the trip against Saint Louis Saturday at 2 p.m.

Friday's contest can be followed on gametracker.

Radford is coming off an 11-10 campaign and a 2009 NorPac East Regular season championship. All 11 starters and a total of 17 players return for head coach Jeff Woods, who is beginning his 25th season at the helm of the Highlanders.

The Highlanders begin the season with seven of their first eight matches on the road. Radford's lone home match during this opening stretch will be on Wed., Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. against Siena.

The offense is paced by a pair of juniors and first-team all-conference selections Courtney Poole and Madonna Wadolowski. Poole tallied a team-best 11 goals and 23 points, while #Wadolowski# chipped in with three goals and a team-high 10 assists.

NorPac East Defensive Player of the Year Jennifer Wisniewski is the last line of defense for the Highlanders. In goal, Wisniewski posted a 2.10 GAA, 123 saves and a .732 save percentage. Senior Megan Lenhardt anchors the back line after recording a school record eight defensive saves in 2009.

Ohio won its third Mid-American Conference title in the last four seasons after claiming the crown in 2009 and earning a berth into the NCAA Play-In game. The Bobcats received 47 votes and are ranked 29th nationally in the 2010 preseason STX/NFHCA Coaches' Poll.

Ohio returns a handful of players who were recognized last season by the MAC. Andrea Biegalski was named the conference's Freshman of the Year and earned All-MAC honors along with teammates Courtney Seiders and Katherine Ballard. Ballard is the top returning scorer, netting nine goals in 2009.

St. Louis finished 1-16 last season, 0-6 in the Atlantic 10 last year. Their roster is highlighted by All-Atlantic 10 selection Nicole Kent and All-Rookie Team pick Lexie Lindblad. Kent led the team in 2009 with four goals and two assists for 10 points.

Goalkeeper Katherine Deem finished eighth in the country during 2009, averaging 8.2 saves per contest for the Billikens.