Staten Island, NY – The Wagner College women's soccer team kicks off its season outside the contiguous United States, as they board a 10-hour flight to Hawaii on August 18, for a six-day trip to the islands where they will play three games against tough Western competition.

The Seahawks will leave Grymes Hill on Wednesday, August 18, for the cross country flight to Honolulu. With little time to adjust to the six hour time difference and the inevitable climate change, the squad will take on the Sea Warriors of Hawaii-Pacific University the following day for a 3:00 pm Hawaii Time (9:00 pm EST) start. Hawaii-Pacific, who plays in the Pacific West Conference, will also open its season in the match against the Green and White.

After a day off following the Hawaii-Pacific game, the team will play a neutral site game against the University of the Pacific at 7:00 pm (HT) (1:00 am EST). While most of the East Coast is sound asleep, the Seahawks will take on a Tigers team that outscored their opponents 29-17 last season, accumulating a 10-6-3 overall record.

The teams' last contest pins the Seahawks against the University of Hawaii. The Rainbow Wahine, who compete in the Western Athletic Conference, finished sixth last year with an 8-11-1 overall record. The young Hawaii team will also open its season on the weekend, playing its first match against Pacific two days prior to its contest against the Seahawks. This contest will also be televised for the Hawaiian locals on KFVE-TV in Honolulu.

The Seahawks return 18 members from last year's squad, including 10 starters and the five top point-scorers from a year ago.

With the addition of four freshmen, the Seahawks will have a well balanced team that will look to improve on last year's 3-13-3 overall record. “Overall, we are anticipating a much more successful season than in the past,” head coach Mike Minielli said. “Beginning with our freshmen and working up to our seniors, the entire team has more talent than has ever existed within this program. From the already apparent camaraderie of the girls, to the passion and success displayed in practice, we are anxious to see the results of their work.”