San Rafael, Calif. — A new school year at Dominican University of California means a new outlook on athletics and a new phase for the University towards gaining full-time NCAA Division II status.

The Penguins begin their provisional year of NCAA competition this fall, the second step on the afore-mentioned NCAA path, and are looking to build on their team's rookie success from 2009-2010.

As a “provisional” NCAA institution, Dominican teams will be eligible for Pacific West Conference post-season play.  After navigating the treacherous waters of Division II competition, the Penguins are settling in to their new surroundings. Excitement and enthusiasm are at an all-time high for the Penguins' chances in the 2010.

A conference tournament appearance would undoubtedly bring notoriety for the white and gold. Dominican's five fall sports — men' soccer, women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's cross country, and women's cross country — will get their chances at a conference crown first.

Both men's and women's soccer teams graduated just one player apiece while women's volleyball lost three student-athletes to graduation. Cross country will compete for the first time since 1998.

Men's Soccer
The 2010 men's soccer season might be the most anticipated in the program's history. After losing only one senior, Director of Soccer Jonathan Delano is settling in as he helms the Penguins for a second season. Delano and his staff have collected a recruiting class that boasts some potential starters.

Three one-goal losses, one of which came in overtime, and a 2-2 draw to second place Hawai'i Pacific University proves that the team has great potential and hopes to showcase it this season.

Simple math of tough game experience for the veterans plus fresh talent should ensure that the Penguins compete day in and day out in conference play.

David Mendez, younger brother of standout women's player Eleanna Mendez, is one of the most anticipated recruits and should provide a heap of exciting plays that end up in goals this fall.

Junior Pedro Guevara was tremendous for the Penguins last year, leading the team in every offensive category. It is hard to imagine improvement for the 2009-2010 Dominican male student-athlete of the year but look for important team leadership from the returning 5-5 midfielder.

Team captains Tim Pinella, Ryan Vella, and Alec Alec Ziegler all return for their senior seasons and the three-time letterwinners will have the team focused for every match.

Women's Soccer
Expectations are high for the women's team, which posted a 6-6-2 conference record in 2009 and closed out the season beating the eventual PacWest champions, Dixie State, in the Red Storm's back yard.

The graduation of Eleanna Mendez, one of the most accomplished Lady Penguin soccer players in school history, will hurt but should not disrupt the team thanks to the depth of returning talent. Mendez will now serve the women's program as a student assistant coach.

Some of that returning talent includes Katie Brown, who was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Far West Region Third Team, as well as the All-PacWest First Team; sophomore midfielder Mallory Engelhardt, who scored the lone goal in the upset of Dixie State last year; Bridget Folan, a versatile senior who was the team's second-leading scorer a year ago; and Mary Wheeler, a scrappy forward who led the team in goals in 2009.

Delano's women's squad boasts 13 true freshman, including defender Kathryn Ripple, goalies Kelly Calton and Megan Herring, midfielders Michelle Bella and Carrie Freyer, and forward Brooke Apodaca.

Women's Volleyball
The 2010 women's volleyball team will be playing under new head coach Gayle Stammer, a former Olympic team alternate who most recently coached at Lewis and Clark College in Oregon.

Stammer inherits a team with a 6-24 record in 2009 and only one conference win but the new coach quickly gathered new talent this season after the loss of four starters.

The most notable loss is Gabby Pecora, a four-year starter who ranked second in total points and kills in the conference in 2009.

Senior Brooke Swingle, a co-captain last year, will be called upon to lead the new-look Lady Penguins. Swingle led the team in service aces and setting as a junior.

Stammer's first recruiting class will be called upon to play big minutes right away for the Penguins. Outside hitter Seluia Falealili, libero Ashley Pittman, and outside hitter Hannah Stocking will all see significant time on the court in their freshman campaigns.

Men's and Women's Cross Country
Larry Schwartz will coach both programs for the  cross country's return to Dominican and running-enthused Marin County.

Schwartz, a Dominican faculty member since 2007, brings more than 12 years of experience as a coach and competitor to the reinstated program.

1998 was the last year Dominican had organized competitive running and the women's team won the California Pacific Conference title as members of the NAIA.

The cross country teams will see their first action on Saturday, September 11 when they travel to Sacramento State University to compete in the Hornet Jamboree Invite.