Preview: Girl's Soccer

Coach: Jim Carden, 5th year

Last year: 8-10-1, 3-4-1 Northwestern

Key losses: Sarah Callaham (Co-Northwestern District Player of the Year, first team All-Region), graduated 10 seniors in all

Top returning players: Meghan Hammond, Jr. M/B (second team All-Northwestern); Marissa Maddalena, Jr. M (first team All-Northwestern); Alex Stanford, So. M (second team All-Northwestern); Emily Woods-Hulse, So. GK; Emma Watts, Sr. FB/MF (second team All-Northwestern)

Key newcomers: Leah Hancock, Fr. G; Abigail Lanham, Fr. M/B; Makayla Gloyd, Fr. M/B; Brianna Heustis, Fr. M; Adrienne Thomas, Fr. M/B; Emily Denton, Fr. F

Outlook: Giving up three goals in the last 20 minutes of a season-opening 4-3 loss is never a good sign, but Carden is hoping it’s just part of the maturation process.

With 10 seniors gone from last year’s team which finished third in the district, the Colonels will have plenty of new faces to work into a lineup that returns four All-District members.

“We’re going to have some growing pains, but I’m looking forward to it,” said Carden, who has six freshmen and two sophomores on his roster. “Our formations are going to be a little different with all the young players, and it’s going to take a little while for everyone to come together, but our future is bright.”

Some of that bright future was on display in the season opener against Broadway when freshmen Emily Denton scored twice for James Wood.

If Denton and the rest of the talented freshmen can blend in well with senior Emma Watts, juniors Marissa Maddalena and Meghan Hammond — who is out with a knee injury but could be back by April — and sophomore Alex Stanford, Carden feels his team can play with anyone.

“I think as the freshmen get more experienced and get more used to the play, our depth is going to be a big thing for us at the end of the year.” Carden said. “Last year we went to regionals for the first time ever, so our goal is to get back there and I think this group can do that.”

Next game: Wednesday, at Broadway, 7:30