BANGOR – There is no shortage of optimism surrounding the Husson College men’s and women’s soccer teams.

In fact, fourth-year men’s coach Scott Warman and sixth-year women’s coach Keith Bosley feel they have their best teams.

“This is, by far, my best team,” said Warman. “Hopefully, we can contend for one of the top three spots in the [North Atlantic] conference.”

Bosley said, “Physically, technically, this is the strongest team I’ve ever had. Already, we’ve had a lot of freshmen, sophomores and transfers winning roles on the team.”

The Husson men went 9-7 a year ago and finished sixth in the conference before losing in the first round of the playoffs.

“Defense is definitely going to win us games this year,” said junior striker and tri-captain Shane Coffin. “We’re going to have one of the best defenses in the conference.”

Thirty-one-year-old tri-captain and sweeper Mike McCarron will anchor the defense.

“He’s a great leader. He’s like having a coach on the field,” said Warman.

“My goal ever since I came here was to get a home playoff game and I think that’s a really good goal and something we can attain,” said McCarron.

McCarron will be joined in the back by senior Mike Dineen, sophomore Oscar Ody and freshman stopper Kyle Kamal.

The midfield, according to Warman, is their question mark.

“If our midfielders play well, we’re going to have a good season,” said Warman referring to sophomores Ben Sobey and Kliton Xhemaili, former teammates at Bangor Christian; junior Chris Cacela and freshman Jesse Vonduzer.

Junior Mike Hoffman, a two-year starter, joined the team Tuesday and they are also hoping to gain the services of veteran Kyle James soon. James is a striker-midfielder who had four goals and six assists last year.

Up front, they will have to replace leading scorer David Richard (11 goals, 3 assists) but Topsham’s Coffin had a very productive 2003 with 10 goals and 4 assists and sophomore T.J. Nevue, who played in just one game last fall due to injury, has impressed so far.

“He has great speed and a killer shot. Hopefully, we’ll click early,” said Coffin.

Senior Matt Goodman, who had a 1.75 goals-against average in 12 games last year, will be the goalie but won’t join the team until the end of the week. Ody will replace him as Darrin Constant has been lost for the season with an injury. Freshman Luc Marquis will replace Ody at fullback in today’s opener at UM-Machias.

The women will feature first team All-NAC selection Beatriz DeYcaza, a striker who owns the school record with 54 career goals, and goalie Leah Drew, who had nine shutouts in 2003.

“This is the most athletic team we’ve ever had and the freshmen understand the game better than any freshmen class we’ve had here,” said DeYcaza.

“Our stated goal is to win the conference championship and we feel we’re prepared to do that,” said Bosley whose team lost 1-0 to UM-Farmington in the conference championship game and the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

“We definitely have depth this year. We can go to the bench and not lose anything,” said junior captain and midfielder Deidra Ham.

DeYcaza will be joined up front by sophomore Dani Billings; Ham will be accompanied in the midfield by freshman Laura Clarke and sophomores Elissa Gordon, Shaina Goode and Kaylin Caron. Gordon is a transfer.

Freshmen Shelby Morrissette and Genevieve Holt will start in the back with junior Kelly McHatten.

Husson has switched t o a 3-5-2 alignment this season “so we manage the midfield and transition better” according to Bosley.

The Eagles, 12-6-2 a year ago, should get a lift when when injured striker Melissa Achorn, fullback Kerri Tuck and midfielder May Chan resume playing.

Husson lost its opener 7-0 to 2003 NCAA Tournament quarterfinalist and preseason No. 5 team Wheaton College (Mass.) on Saturday.