WILMINGTON, N.C. - Six UNCW men's soccer players are playing this summer in the Professional Development League of the United Soccer Leagues to prepare themselves for defense of their 2009 Colonial Athletic Association championship and a return to the NCAA Tournament.

Starting fullback Christian Davidson and reserve midfielder Tinashe Mugabe are playing for Indiana Invaders F.C. in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference. The Invaders are tied for fourth after five matches.

Three Seahawks are playing close to home as starters Brock Duckworth (goalie), Daniel Roberts (midfield) and All-America defender Indy Smith are playing for the Greensboro-based Carolina Dynamo, the oldest organization in the league . The Dynamo is also in fourth place in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Rounding out UNCW's representation in the league is rising sophomore Etienne Boulanger, who earned All-Rookie honors in the CAA last fall. Boulanger is playing for the Ottawa Fury of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference. Ottawa also sits in fourth place early in the season.

"The competition in the PDL is top-notch," said UNCW Head Coach Aidan Heaney, two-time CAA Coach-of-the-Year. "The chance to play more games and train with some of the best talent in the nation will certainly help in the development of our players."

The PDL, with 67 teams across the United States, features four conferences, with two divisions in each conference.