The returning A-10 champions women’s soccer team is looking to have a stellar season. Building on last season, which saw the second A-10 championship in a row and a NCAA appearance, the Bills have the makings of a great team.

Eleven incoming freshmen, all the tops of their divisions and some of the top recruits, have committed to join the squad this fall. They are Christina Brown, Crissy Ghirardi, Emma Kriegel, Alyssa Mautz and Caitlin Werkmeister, all from the St. Louis area; and Kristyn Gawin, Emily Kryzer, Andrea McMaster, Christine Steinmetz, Dominique Turk and Anna Van Alstyne, from all around the nation. They will off-set the loss of six seniors who graduated this year. These recruits all come from successful programs and received numerous accolades for their abilities and performance, and they add to the already solid ranks that make up the squad.

Two players have been picked out as standout players this preseason. Sophomore forward Julia Bradenberg and junior back Lauren Olson have been named to the all A-10 preseason team. These two individuals stand out as exceptional players who should have exciting seasons.

The schedule for this upcoming season will be challenging for the Billikens. This year, in addition to the A-10 opponents, the Bills will face Evansville and Missouri in exhibition games, Penn, Ohio State, Southern Methodist, Missouri State, Southeast Missouri State, Army and Nebraska. This will be the first time Ohio State and Nebraska will play the Billikens.

This season, the team will be facing some stiff competition, especially from defending A-10 regular season champion Charlotte. The Bills head into the season ranked in the top six of the A-10 and are hoping to better that and go to the NCAA for the third straight year.

The season kicks off in Evansville Indiana, August 20, and at home Friday, August 24, versus state rival Missouri.