Finishing one result shy of qualifying for the 2016 North Coast Athletic Conference tournament, women's head soccer coach David "Geordie" Brown expects to see his squad – a year matured from last year's predominantly underclassmen lineup – in contention for a top-four spot come late October.

"I think dealing with a very young team allowed us to get experience for our players, so being able to see them a year removed from that and being able to utilize that game experience will be very beneficial for us to get going early," Brown said.

Junior Erica White returns as one of the Fighting Scots' leading scorers after netting three goals last season.

In addition to four draws, the Fighting Scots dropped three one-goal contests, one of which to regionally-ranked Wittenberg University in the season finale with conference tournament implications. Fast-forward one year, and the coaching staff believes they have a squad capable of figuring out how to change those close decisions into results.

Wooster returns 17 letterwinners, comprised of seven juniors and 10 sophomores. Juniors Caroline Dres and Emma Lawrence highlight this year's lineup as all-conference honorees a year ago, albeit on different ends of the field.

Dres, one of Wooster's best attacking options out of the midfield, co-led the team with four goals as an honorable mention honoree. With the graduation of Kennedy Payne and Kathleen Kalafatis, Dres' technical skills and nose for the goal will increasingly see her in attacking situations, even potentially as an attacking wingback.

"Caroline has great technical abilities and is super athletic," Brown said. "We expect to see her contributing more from an offensive standpoint, and given her success and work rate last year, she should find success as one of our main attacking options."

Meanwhile, Lawrence, a first-team all-NCAC and second-team All-Ohio honoree, proved herself as a keystone for a young Wooster backline that sported an eight-game home unbeaten streak dating back to the 2015 campaign.

Speaking of the backline, last season the Scots did not allow multiple goals to conference foes all season en route to a 3-2-3 record in league play, in part to Wooster's "defend from the front approach."

After opening the conference slate with a 3-1 win over Hiram College, three consecutive draws –including a 1-1 tie against eventual conference champion Denison University – slowed the Scots, who needed a win over regionally-ranked Wittenberg in the season finale to advance to the conference tournament.

Still, with the back four looking to be a stronghold of this year's formation, Brown reminds the Scots not to settle on expectations.

"We are never set," Brown commented. "That's the thing - each year you're trying to improve in every area. Nothing is given, and as long as student-athletes arrive each day and compete, they will be given an opportunity."

Sophomores Mackenzie Goltz and Payton Gennett provided immediate assistance as dependable defenders among a strong rotation, with Goltz – penned as a "terrific contributor" by the coaching staff – earning a starting position from day one while Gennett, a dual-sport athlete in soccer and lacrosse, appeared in 17 games, including 14 as a starter.

In the midfield, sophomore Claire Davis' versatility and technical skills will be on display as she will look to lead the transitional efforts after tallying two goals and an assist last year, including the game-winner over Hiram.

Junior Rada Zunich, who transformed from a fullback into more of a midfield role, is expected to make an impact after making 11 starts in 16 total appearances. Of note, Zunich will be joined by her younger sister, Mila Zunich, an incoming first-year.

Again, providing transitional help will be junior Devin Frisby, who suffered a season-ending injury after scoring the game-winner eight minutes into Wooster's season opener against the University of Mount Union. Additionally, returnees Sam Draves, Ingrid Buckley, Kelsey Hall and Anna Hartig will all provide relief amongst the midfield rotation.

Up top, junior Erica White arrives after a healthy offseason with three goals under her belt from a season ago while sophomore teammates Krissy Blanchard and Krenare Rakoci – both regular contributors off the bench – will look to continue their form. Both scored their first collegiate goals last September and will look to jump-start that trend next month.

In goal, junior Maddy Ireton returns as the lone upperclassman 'keeper. After earning some time last year, she will look to compete for the starting spot between the pipes along with a trio of incoming first-years.

In all, the Black and Gold welcome 11 first-years to the fold as well as sophomore Morgan Mooty, who missed last season due to injury but showcased a productive Spring session.

Wooster opens the season on Sept. 1 against Bridgewater (Va.) College at Pittsburgh, Pa., and hosts John Carroll University in the home-opener on Sept. 6.