To defend its conference title, the Westminster College women's soccer team needs a staunch defense.

That's where Mars graduates Mallory Bugel and Amanda Bearrow come in.

They are two of six freshman defenders counted upon by third-year coach Girish Thakar to uphold his team's winning tradition.

"Most of the defenders from last year graduated," Bearrow said. "Girish wanted to put his stronger younger players on defense.

"Mallory and I are competing for playing time right now. I'm sure we're both going to get on the field."

Westminster has won the Presidents' Athletic Conference title the past two years - its first two years in the league - and began its 2004 season Thursday.

Added to the Titans' Mars connection is graduate assistant coach Susie Giovengo, who graduated from Indiana (Pa.) University last spring with a degree in sports management.

Giovengo is the daughter of Mars girls soccer coach Dale Giovengo and formerly held the Planets' career goal-scoring record of 67. She graduated in 1999.

That record was broken by Bugel, who scored 96 goals at Mars and was a four-time Butler Eagle Elite 11 selection.

"Mallory is an extremely intense player," Giovengo said. "She's one of the hardest working players I've ever seen."

Bugel was also an unlikely candidate to break Giovengo's scoring mark. She has been playing soccer since age 9 and has played forward only during her four-year high school career.

"It felt strange playing that position," Bugel said. "I've been a sweeper for every other team I've ever played for. I was shocked I scored so many goals. I just took them as they came.

"I accidentally told Susie one day that I broke her record. Her dad didn't tell her for over a year," she added.

Bugel has played sweeper for boys soccer teams all her life, including Mars' Under-19 club team this summer.

"Playing on boys teams has really helped develop my game," Bugel said. "Boys teams are faster and more skilled. I've picked up a lot of speed that way."

Bugel and Bearrow are roommates this year. Bugel is majoring in biology while Bearrow is majoring in elementary education.

A three-year starter on defense at Mars, Bearrow knew some friends who attended Westminster and decided to look into the school.

"I was interested in going there anyway and really became interested when I saw how good the soccer program was," Bearrow said. "I knew they were losing defenders and felt I could compete for a spot.

"Susie didn't get her coaching position there until Mallory and I were already here. I'm thrilled Susie's here. I feel comfortable talking to her, and since I already know her, I know she'll be honest with me."

Bearrow missed her freshman soccer season in high school due to two broken ankles. She broke an ankle during the summer season, then broke the same ankle at a Geneva College soccer camp two weeks after getting her cast off.

Bearrow served as a team manager for the Planets her freshman year.

"I've played soccer since I was 10," she said. "There was no way I could walk away from the game."

Giovengo had a modest soccer career at IUP as a three-year starter, scoring five goals. She played for Thakar's Pittsburgh Strikers summer team when she was 14.

Thakar also coached Giovengo's sister, Leah, in elite soccer.

"He's been a friend of the family for a long time," Giovengo said. "He told me of the opportunity to coach at Westminster and I decided to give it a try.

"I help get the team ready to play and I conduct practices for Girish while he's with the men's team."

Giovengo will begin graduate school at Westminster in the spring.

"I was a little worried when Susie first came here because I thought there might be some tension between us," Bugel said. "But it's been great. She's a confidant now.

"Before, I knew her only casually. I was always told to be like Susie. Now that I'm with her all the time, I can see why."