PHILADELPHIA (08/13/03) -- The Atlantic 10 Conference has been dominated in recent memory by the same few schools - Dayton, Richmond, Xavier, and George Washington. With only four teams making the conference's postseason tournament, there was a monopoly to determine who could earn the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. But in 2003 six teams will qualify for the A-10 tourney and third-year head coach Jess Reynolds expects to be in the hunt for one of those spots. "It's a year of change for our program and we keep stressing that to the team," Reynolds said. "Six teams are in the tournament and we're aiming to be one of them." The Hawks got an early start on their competition, beginning preseason camp on August 4 in preparation for a ten-day excursion to Norway, home of former SJU standout and assistant coach Ellen Stenrud. Saint Joseph's played five games against club competition and aimed to mesh a young team together before returning home on August 24. "We have the extra advantage of going to Norway and playing five games there. It's basically a four-week preseason. Since we have such a young team, we're going to need lots of games to get ready for Delaware (the season opener on August 29) and the conference schedule," Reynolds said. Despite losing the top two scorers from last season, Reynolds is excited about an improved offense. SJU averaged under a goal a game in 2002 and saw Katie Watson graduate and freshman Michelle Carmosky (4 goals, 2 assists) transfer. But a recruiting class ranked among the region's best by SoccerBuzz.com should help the Hawks find the back of the net more often this fall. Senior forward and co-captain Michelle Ford returns as the leading scorer (2 goals, 3 assists) and is among the all-time assist leaders on Hawk Hill. Depending on the system, Ford could also see time in the midfield. Either way, "she's one of our go-to players," according to Reynolds. Redshirt freshman Nancy Cook is back on the front line after suffering a knee injury that sidelined her for the final ten games of the 2002 season. She scored the game-winner in a 2-1 A-10 victory over Temple and has the potential to score goals for the Hawks. Juniors Cristin Harris and Erin Ryan will also see time and are primed for breakout seasons in their third year at SJU. Megan Schutt, a highly sought after recruit from Ontario, Canada, is the type of player that can help turn the program around, according to Reynolds. A scoring threat from the forward slot, Schutt was a member of the Ontario Provincial champion Sudbury Canadians. Another newcomer, sophomore transfer Kimmy Leigh (Seton Hall) will anchor the midfield. Compared to Watson in terms of her playmaking ability, Leigh will be used to find the feet of the Hawk forwards. "She will be our playmaker and probably has the best vision on the team," Reynolds said. Junior Marisa Barriere should also hold down a slot in the midfield after an injury plagued sophomore campaign. Junior Jen Harris and freshman Kaiti McCaffery will see time at center midfield and center back. "Jen Harris is our wall that collects everything, while Kaiti is a great midfielder with vision," Reynolds said. Another freshman, Emily Brant, and senior Lindsey Crandall will also see time in a competitive midfield. The versatile Crandall may also take some turns in the backfield. The defense returns intact from last season and is anchored by sophomore Jess Daugherty. Sophomore co-captain Alisha Paine is set to start for the second straight year and will provide an offensive threat from the backfield. Sophomore Katie Grillo, who tore her ACL but should be back by mid-September, freshman Lauren Kuhmerker, senior co-captain Anna Marini and junior Katrina Butner will vie for time at the outside back position. Redshirt freshman Stef Luicci and sophomore transfer Nicole DiEnna (Georgia) are in a battle for time in between the pipes and both should see action. "Stef has really impressed us in the preseason. We're really excited that Nicole decided to transfer, because we wanted her from day one. She's definitely a quality keeper," Reynolds said. Everything seems to be set in place for the Hawks to make a run at a postseason bid- a regionally ranked recruiting class, an extended preseason with a trip to Norway, and work with a sports psychologist, former coach Dr. Greg Nicholls. Even if a postseason trip falls short, Saint Joseph's is out to earn some respect in the Atlantic 10. "You never just get respect, you have to earn it. We'll earn it this year," Reynolds said.