This continues our series of daily articles previewing each men's and women's college conference. All the conference previews can be found here.

As our preview of the 2010 college season continues, we take a look at the women of the Southland and Ohio Valley conferences.

Southland Conference

Southeastern Louisiana returns a slew of veterans who helped win the 2009 title, including senior forward Maiya Cooper (14 goals in 2009) and sophomore goalkeeper Lacey Bockhaus, the Southland Tournament MVP. With top-notch talent and enviable depth, the Lady Lions have all the pieces to repeat.

After cruising through the 2009 regular season with a 14-6-1 overall record (and an amazing 56-13 goal differential), Texas State returns 2009 Player of the Year Britney Curry (18 goals) and a host of young talent. In 2010 they appear well-positioned to challenge for the conference crown once again.

The loss of forward and team leader Megan Cash hurts an improving Stephen F. Austin team, but with precocious youngster (and 2009 Rookie of the Year) Kylie Louw leading the charge, the Lumberjacks are primed for a surge in 2010.

Coach Tom Brown of Sam Houston State has made a nice contender out of a roster lacking much flash. That could change in 2010, as sophomore forward Kirby Zak (9 goals in her freshman year) is quickly blossoming into a star.

UT San Antonio(w) has a solid foundation on offense, with seniors Allison Dillon and Chelsea Zimmerman creating and finishing scoring chances. But the loss of senior defender Ezinne Okpo will leave a hole in the center of an already porous defense, and it remains unclear who will fill the void.

McNeese State leading scorer Alana Clark will try to lead her underachieving team ahead of the pack in 2010, while receiving help from talented freshmen like Callie Albright and Ali Gallier.

The bad news for Northwestern Louisiana(w) is that senior leaders Chelsey Gibbs and Chelsea Brozgold are gone. The good news is that a talented roster remains. But coach Jimmy Mitchell will need to press the right buttons to get his team (11-9 overall in 2009) to perform better when it counts (only 4-5 in conference play).

Lamar struggled in 2009 (4-13-1 overall) and will need freshmen such as defender Anneliese Dernehl and forward Angie Guillory to contribute immediately.

While Central Arkansas was decent against non-conference opponents in 2009 (6-3-1), they were abysmal in conference play (1-8). Senior Randi Condley gives the Bears a good weapon up top, but coach Tina Banham will need to get more out of her underachieving team.

Nicholls State(w) enters 2010 in full-rebuilding mode. After finishing 4-15-1 in 2009, the Colonels hopes a class of 10 freshmen can step in and give the team new life.

Ohio Valley Conference

Fresh off a championship in 2009, Murray State is primed for another title run in 2010. Despite the loss of Nicole Evans, junior leaders Veronika Pribyslavaska and Sophie Hargreaves and sophomore Danielle McMurray will help the Racers pick up where they left off.  

Morehead State was the best team in the 2009 regular season, but they faltered in the playoffs and lost several senior leaders to graduation. But star goalkeeper Lily Meisner remains, and a new crop of freshmen will look to continue the winning tradition.
 
As the top defensive team in the conference last year (13 goals allowed), UT Martin has a great foundation for 2010. But the Skyhawks have plenty of firepower on offense too, as the exploits of Brooke Robertson and Kendyl Wilson have made clear.  

Despite a mediocre regular season (7-12-3 overall) in 2009, Tennessee Tech made it to the conference tournament’s final game. With standouts Jen Hoffman, Kris Cambron and Taren Brown returning, the Golden Eagles have all the pieces to make another run.

Eastern Illinois will need to compensate for the loss of senior stars Jenny Williams and Laura Ridolfi. It remains to be seen if Sam Balek and Kristin Germann are able to fill the leadership void.  

After earning a spot in the conference tournament for the second straight year in 2009, Eastern Kentucky will look to senior goalkeeper Stephanie Lynch to anchor another playoff run in 2010.

SE Missouri St(w) defender Hayley Abbott and forward Ashley Runion will try to take the Redhawks to new heights in 2010, hoping promising freshmen Jacey Boyko and Jessica Grindstaff can make an early contribution.

Despite scoring the most goals (38) in the conference in 2009, Jacksonville State still managed only a losing record (8-10 overall). Coach Julie Carlson will need to find a way to translate goals into wins in 2010.

With only one win in 2009, Austin Peay’s prospects for 2010 look bleak. Sophomore defender Jazzmine Chandler has shown flashes of promise, but her supporting class leaves much to be desired. The Governors will need a breakout star to lead them out of the basement.

The odds are stacked against Southern Illinois in 2010 (after going 3-10-2 in 2009), and they hope an infusion of new blood – in the form of freshmen such as Sarah Doggendorf and Hope Jones – will bring an edge to the team.