The Bates field hockey team will miss three of its top four scorers from the 2008 club, but there's hope that an August team excursion to Argentina -- which included training sessions with Argentinian coaches, four matches against club teams from around Buenos Aires, a service project with a rural children's center, attending a premier-level women's club game, and as much sight-seeing as the team could fit in -- not only opened the players' eyes to a different part of the world, but helped cement the bonds the team will draw upon during its official 2009 season.

All around the practice fields at Bates, there are fall athletic teams brimming with hope for the season ahead. Even the rowing and tennis teams are gearing up to compete in brief fall seasons, with an eye on repeating some of their phenomenal successes from last spring. Listed below are season previews for each of the fall Bobcat teams:

• Men's Cross Country: If the 2009 Bates men's cross country team fares as 16th-year head coach Al Fereshetian hopes, the crowd at the top of the results list at meets will be chock full of Bobcats. Read More...
• Women's Cross Country: The Bobcats women's cross country team will have a long list of returning standouts to help back up the team's preseason No. 31 national ranking. Read More...
• Field Hockey: On the heels of a team-building trip to Argentina in August, Bates is primed for more excitement in the 2009 season, including a return trip to NESCACs. Read More...
• Football: The Bates football team went 2-1 over the final three weeks of the 2008 season. With 19 starters returning from that team, the Bobcats have high hopes for carrying their momentum into this, the program's 115th season. Read More...
• Golf: The Bates coed golf team has the great bulk of its talent returning from a memorable fall 2008 season, and good numbers of both male and female players as well. Read More...
• Men's Soccer: A 4-1 finish to the 2008 season is one big reason the Bates men's soccer team has hopes for bigger things in 2009. Read More...
• Women's Soccer: The Bates women's soccer team, captained by senior defender Avery Pierce, is looking to reestablish itself as one of the premier teams in the NESCAC. Read More...
• Volleyball: Coming off a season in which the Bates volleyball team qualified for the NESCAC tournament for the first time since 2004, excitement is high for the start of the 2009 season. Read More...