The PLNU women’s soccer team will try to build on a season that saw them win 10 games overall, but ended with a 7th place GSAC finish and a tough loss to conference champ Azusa Pacific in the GSAC playoffs.  The team will specifically need to improve its offense, which scored a conference-low six goals in GSAC play last season.
 
The Sea Lions do have a strong cast of returnees, including seven starters, and some key senior leadership. “The returning core came back very focused,” says head coach Tim Hall. “They have a high desire to play soccer.”
 
Senior forward/midfielder Kari Moore returns after leading the team in scoring last season with six goals. She’ll be joined by seniors Alex Fuller and Ashley Adams, who should see time at forward and midfield and will look to excel in their final seasons as Sea Lions.
 
Coach Hall says he’s been very impressed with the senior leadership and says the team captains have been like having coaches on the field. “I’ve given them a ton of responsibility and they’ve really responded well,” he says. “I’ve gotta give full credit to the girls for stepping up.”
 
Adding to the team’s weapons at forward will be sophomore Katie Pedlowe, who looks to build on a very strong first campaign with the team, senior Jennifer Tan and sophomore Jaclyn Farah.
 
Junior Lindsay Bollar returns to help solidify the midfield. The team also welcomes back senior Kelsey Lundberg, who rejoins the team after choosing not to play last season. Lundberg played well as a sophomore and looks to pick up right where she left off.
 
As in years past, there is a good chance the defense will be the team’s strongpoint. They will have to find a way to offset the loss of NAIA All-American defender Breanna Nelson, as well as each of the goalies from last year’s roster, but junior Tommie Graham gives them a good place to start.
 
Graham was one of the team’s most dependable defenders a year ago and appears ready to anchor the defense. Joining her is sophomore Erica Wessels, who started nearly every game as a freshman and held her own against stiff GSAC competition.
 
The Sea Lions also bring back senior Lauren Leslie and junior Lily Rainey. Each saw significant time last season and should be more involved. Sophomore Melanie Starchuk and junior Lauren Hernandez give the Sea Lions two more experienced players to count on defensively.
 
Goalie Tiffany Kracy (La Habra HS) is part of a very good recruiting class and should step in right away. Kelsey Hougen (Murrieta Valley HS), another freshman, provides important depth at goalie.
 
The rest of the recruiting class is very good, led by midfielder Lauren Abarca. She started as a freshman at NCAA DI San Francisco and will be a key factor in the Sea Lion midfield.
 
Freshman Brooke Winklepleck (Tesoro HS) rounds out the recruiting class and will look to contribute right away at the forward and midfield spots after an accomplished high school career.
 
 Coach Hall says his biggest concern at this point is keeping the team healthy, as the injury bug has not been kind to the team in the early going. But the strong cast of returnees, the talented newcomers and the team’s overall enthusiasm and athleticism has Hall excited for the season.
 
“Their eyes just light up, they’re ready to go,” he says. “They are very solid, very skilled technically. I’m excited for what the season holds.”