After posting a school-record 10 wins just two years ago, the Buena Vista women's soccer team has its eyes set on bouncing back from a tough 5-13-1 (1-6 IIAC) record in 2013 and working to earn its first-ever spot into the Iowa Conference Tournament.

The Beavers will have their third different head coach in the last three seasons, but for Sheena Van Roekel, she's been happy thus far with how the team has transitioned into yet another style of play as well as the hard work the team is putting in to make itself better heading into the start of the year.

"From day one up to now, they [the players] have been showing more progress through their creativity and communication as we move through each session," states Van Roekel. "The character and hard work they've been bringing has been foundational in looking towards the future of where they would like to see themselves at the end of the season."

A total of 12 letterwinners, including six starters, return to help lead the way going forward. Among that group is junior Tori Carson who was an Honorable Mention All-IIAC selection as a freshman in 2012.  In two years, she has totaled 22 goals and 10 assists.  Senior Sam Richards will look to add a solid 1-2 punch after she finished behind Carson with five goals a year ago, to go along with a team-best six assists.  Naomi Wood is the third leading returning goal scorer with four.

Van Roekel has been pleased with the leadership that her veterans are showing and the way they are carrying themselves in the early going.

"Tori Carson has served as a leader by action more than word," she says. "She's always demanding of herself as well as her teammates. One can get the sense of how she carries herself in what she desires for the team."

Seniors Kelsey Kankelfitz and Dakota Shaffer also return to the team after not playing a season ago.  The midfield duo added significant time off the bench for the Beavers during the record-breaking season in 2012, combing for 24 matches played and nine starts.

Defensively, the team will look to improve on its 4.63 goals-against-average from last season.  Sophomore Tricia Schwartz will help aid that effort in-goal as she led the team in minutes played guarding the net in 2013.  She also posted the team's only shutout.

Van Roekel has also been happy with the transition of the newcomers into the system.  She's excited for the strides they have made and what they can bring to the program during their respective careers.

"We're very excited about our freshmen class," she adds. "The ladies we have are talented and their character brings many values to the pitch that we embrace. We see our team not just as names on a roster but as a family. These ladies are going to bring quite a bit, as we know there will never be players like them.  It will be exciting to see them grow over the next four years, not just on the pitch, but in their own personal endeavors."

The team looks to get off on the right track as it hosts a pair of games right out of the gate against Bethany Lutheran and Grace University (Neb.) during the annual BVU Classic on August 29 and 31.  The team will also play another home match against Nebraska Wesleyan on September 10 before going on the road for four matches until returning on September 27 to open Iowa Conference play against the University of Dubuque.