Lethbridge - Following a season of growing pains with one of the youngest teams in the conference, the University of Lethbridge women's soccer team hopes those struggles have paid dividends and the 2013 season with begin an ascension up the Canada West standings.
 
The 'Horns open the season on the road with a pair of games, traveling to Edmonton to face the always tough Alberta Pandas and conclude the opening weekend with a match-up with the Mount Royal Cougars. Kick off for both games is scheduled for 12:00pm.
 
After introducing 10 new faces at the start of last season, the 'Horns return 17 players this season and have added depth to all positions, adding eight fresh faces to the fold.
 
With only seven goals scored last season, the 'Horns ranked near the bottom of the conference in scoring. Emily Felker and Kim Shellenberg accounted for more than half of the teams goals last season but the addition of strikers Meaghan Welby and Alycia Amatto will be keys to the 'Horns offensive attack.
 
The loss of veteran goalkeeper Taura Willoughby will be tough to replace in the 'Horns net but head coach Ilsa Wong believes that the depth of the position has never been better with three athletes vying for playing time. Taylor Thomas returns for her third year and saw action in three games.  In addition to Thomas, freshmen Myriah Marino and Micaela Stone have impressed during training camp.
 
Through the middle of the field and on the backline the 'Horns will be experienced and deep. Veteran leaders Shannon Clark, Keagan Moch, Stephanie Groten and Shellenberg will be keys to shoring up the defensive game and getting the ball up to the 'Horns new stable of strikers.

The University of Alberta Pandas soccer team should once again be in the mix for the Canada West playoffs as they return a number of key starters, while supplementing with a strong group of recruits. The 2012 Pandas finished sixth in Canada West, thanks to a 7-2-3 record, and while they lose a few key members from that squad, they return to the pitch in 2013 with another strong team.

Last season Mount Royal learned first-hand how tough competition in Canada West can be. After making the jump from the ACAC a year ago the Cougars had a tough season, winning only one game. This year they are poised to move up the Canada West standings and potentially challenge for a playoff spot.
 
To make the playoffs the Cougars will need some more offence and they hoped to have found it top recruits Navroop Virk and Christine Jenkins. Virk and Jenkins will look to play a big supporting role in an offence that only scored nine goals last season.
 
The 'Horns will host their first of five home games the next weekend, welcoming the Winnipeg Wesmen and Manitoba Bisons.
 
 
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