By Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Lion and Lady Lion soccer teams have been hard at work during the preseason in preparation for their first match, which is tonight at the Josh Riley Soccer Complex.

FHU opens the 2015 season at home against Point (Ga.) University with the women's match scheduled for a 5:00 PM kickoff, followed by the men's match at 7:00 PM.

The FHU coaching staff stayed busy this summer on the recruiting trail. The Lady Lions brought in eight new players for the 2015 season, which will add more youth to an already young team. Whether or not the team's youth will play a factor in the season opener remains to be seen.

The Lady Lions visited Point University in Atlanta, Ga. last year for their season opener and lost 2-0. Point returns five starters from that team, including Celly Ruiz who accounted for one goal and five shot attempts in last year's match between the teams.

Point's women already have one game under their belt- a 2-3 loss to Brenau University. In that game, Freshman Jessica Torres accounted for one of the goals in the loss. Torres will be one player that will keep the Lady Lions defense on their toes in the home opener tonight.

The Lady Lions returns eight starters from last season including two or their top scorers in center midfielders Taylor Woods (4 goals) and Taylor Jenkins (3 goals). Although the Lady Lions lost their top scorer in Forward Julianne Renner (10 goals), the solid core of players returning should help pick up the slack this season.

The additions of Midfielder Nina Carolissen and Forward Cortnie Fitts should help improve the team's play attacking the net this season. FHU will also look to a solid core of upperclassmen in Kennedi Van Ravestein (Junior) and Seniors Sophia Fornbacher and Christiana Aponte to help lead the team on and off the field.

The men's contest is also a rematch of their season opener last season where FHU topped Point 3-1. In that game, the Lions struggled to get anything going in the first half, but three late goals in the final 26 minutes of play propelled them to their first victory of the season. The lone goal for Point was scored by Senior Phil Pressgrove, who graduated this past season. The Skyhawks return a solid group of players this season that started the match against FHU last season.

The Lions, meanwhile, will look to a solid group of returning players to lead them this season. Three of the team's top scorers from last season including Jermaine Steele (6 goals), Alex Meany (5 goals), and Tristan Quadrini (5 goals) will all be returning to the starting lineup tonight. The Lions lost their top scorer from last season in Stefano Basso (8 goals), but hope to use a solid group of incoming players to complement the returning players.

The Lions brought in seven new players this season to help reinforce all positions across the board. The additions of Forward Chris Hill, a transfer from Martin Methodist College, and Jorge Segura at midfield will help the Lions push the ball forward and attack the net.

The Skyhawks have played two games so far this season- a season opening 3-4 loss to Middle Georgia State College and a 3-1 win over Brewton-Parker.

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LADY LIONS TO WATCH: Taylor Woods (MF; So.; Oakbank, Manitoba, Canada)

As a freshman last season, Taylor Woods was the second leading scorer for the Lady Lions with four goals. She will be starting tonight in the center midfield position alongside Junior Taylor Jenkins. The two of them will set the tone for FHU in the middle of the field. Woods is very skilled with both feet and can make things happen quickly. Freshman Nina Carolissen is another player to watch out for in the back of the midfield. The coaching staff expects great things from her throughout her four years at FHU.

LIONS TO WATCH: Tristan Quadrini (FWD; Jr.; Spring Hill, Tenn.)

Two years ago as a freshman, Quadrini was one of the Lions' first substitutes at the forward position. Last year, he began his first season in a starting role and blossomed into a leading player for the Lions. Quadrini was second on the team in scoring with five goals and helped lead the Lions offense in a significant way in 2014. The Lions will need to generate offense again this season and with two years of college experience; Coach Elliott will look to Quadrini to lead a solid group of players this season.