After a successful season that included a program-first appearance in the Golden State Athletic Conference Championship match, the women’s soccer team looks ahead to return to the championship this coming fall.

A hard act to follow

The Eagles had an impressive season in 2012, including a record of 8-3-0 at home and 4-4-1 away. Part of what contributed to so many wins at home was their focus.

“We need to have the same mentality that we do at home games for the away games. We need to just take charge and know who we are as a team,” freshman midfielder Amanda Otto said.

Head coach Todd Elkins will be returning to coach the women’s team this year for his sixth season. As evident in multiple games this past year, Elkins plays a possession-heavy game, pushing his players to have a similar mindset when on the field.

“He really emphasizes our style of play,” Otto said. “That’s part of our everyday practice. Obviously we practice different things depending on who we are playing but I would say that he really focuses on our possession.”

Offense and defense work together for success

Biola can expect a disciplined and in sync defense next season. Since the program is only losing one defensive player, the returning defenders can continue from where they left off.

“I think that we are an experienced group,” sophomore defender Michelle Clark said. “We know how each other plays, and we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”

On the other side of the ball, the Eagles can also expect a strategic and confident offense.

“I think for us the offense works well because we start from the back,” Otto said. “We make sure that we have full possession before we actually initiate attack, instead of just getting the ball and automatically trying to attack. We make sure that we have possession first.”

Newer team, same goal

With seven graduating seniors, the Eagles will be working from a fresh roster. The returning players are excited about the incoming freshmen.

“We are looking forward to having freshmen come in and step up to the collegiate level,” Clark said. “We are going to be a younger group, but we have some really strong underclassmen.”

The Eagles plan on making a return to the GSAC finals match next season following a 2-1 loss to Vanguard University in the 2012 title match. They hope their focus and confidence will be enough to get them back to the final match.

“We need to continue to grow stronger and more confident as a group,” Clark said. “We need to go into each game knowing that we can win, but also remember to play for God and give him the glory, no matter what the outcome is.”