Prior to fall camp starting on August 13, members of the Wayne State College women's soccer team reported for player-led practices which allowed the team of nearly half of new faces to adapt to one another.
The Wildcats will be made up of 15 returners but 10 freshmen and three transfers.
Emily Hester will start her fifth season leading WSC women's soccer.
Along with a fitness test, the team put in the work for an 11v11 once fall camp started.
"Our first day for us is really just building confidence and getting to know each other and us seeing what we have," said Hester. "Second day we started implementing some of our possession and attack. That really was the focus the first four days to go into our first exhibition."
The Wildcats visited Hastings on August 17 and will also travel to Nebraska-Kearney on August 23.
Wildcat coaches state 'this is the most fit our team has ever come in' putting in their summer work to get stronger in the weight room.
Wayne State College women's soccer is looking for improvement from last year (7-7-5/6-4-4 NSIC) who qualified for the NSIC Tournament for the first time since 2019.
"Right now, it's just getting to know everybody and seeing their strengths and weaknesses," said Hester. "Some players are playing in different positions that we didn't expect. So, really it's a fun experimental time to kind of see what we can do leading up to NSIC play in September.
Majority of the WSC attack will return including leading scorers senior Paige Pemberton and senior Alaina Sorensen while adding sophomore transfer Morgan Mancuso (Augustana) as well as senior Reagan Allen stepping up.
The key loss will be their graduating senior defense on the backline with the lone returner being sophomore Addison Walker.
Sorensen was voted NSIC Offensive Player to Watch while Walker was tabbed as the NSIC Defensive Player to Watch for the Wildcats.
Walker, a center-back, played for a college team back in Gretna over the summer while hosting scrimmages and working on her defense.
She's noticed her teammates incorporating the new players while everyone is adapting to everyone's strengths and weaknesses.
"We have a lot of potential going forward," said Walker. "But I think we did really good for our first game (August 17 scrimmage at Hastings)..."I'm excited to see how it all works out with all the new players. I think it will be a big difference from last year because we are a younger team now."
Some team goals include to qualify for conference again, make it further in the postseason tournament and have a winning record.
Sorensen, an outside midfielder was working with her past club soccer teammates and practicing two to three times a week.
"I feel like it's good that we're all getting back together, connecting with each other and learning how each other play because we have 10 new players (plus three transfers)," said Sorensen. "So we have to learn how they play and they have to learn how we play."
Walker also shared a message for her underclassmen.
"It doesn't matter what grade you're in or where you're playing, everyone can be a leader," said Walker. "It's just about how you go about it. Think everyone just needs to be talking no matter how old you're, just support the people around you."
Sorensen added a note to the fans.
"I wouldn't be here where I am without my parents or my friends supporting me and pushing me all these years," said Sorensen. "So, love them for supporting me and everything."
The Wayne State College women's soccer team will open their non-conference schedule on Sunday, September 7 at William Jewell.
The Wildcats will continue to get better.
"On August 17, we possessed a lot of the game," said Hester. "I'd say we controlled 85% of it. Now, can we score goals and capitalize on opportunities."
The WSC women's soccer home opener is set for Tuesday, September 9 at 5 p.m. hosting Missouri Western.
Coach Hester said this is a great team.
"They're going to play exciting soccer and continuously build this program," said Hester. "Just come watch for yourselves. I think we have a group that is really exciting and I'm proud to be their coach."
