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Following a season filled with disappointments, the Ohio soccer team hopes to make some improvements in 2008.

After finishing sixth overall in the MAC and losing for the second straight year to Northern Illinois in the MAC tournament, the team will have a fight ahead of them.

“It is always a battle, but I think this year will be different,” said coach Stacy Strauss. “I think we need to focus on playing to our potential.”

Potential that will include returning starter senior and last year’s leading scorer, Erika Schmitt. Along with Schmitt, Strauss is looking to senior Courtney Mink,  as well as junior Amy Lower, to put some in the net.

Lower seems ready to get the job done as she discussed the team’s need to take more shots on goal and to have more people open to finish those shots. She sees the returning player’s leadership as something that will help reach this goal.

“We have high expectations (of each other),” she said.

The offense also will include junior Jasmine Merith. Strauss described Merith as “dangerous with speed” and hopes she, as well as others, rise to the occasion.

“It will be interesting to see who will step up,” Strauss said. “We expect to score a lot of goals.”

The potential does not miss the defense as it will include junior Rachael Goulding, who is currently trying out for Canada’s U-20 national team. Along with Goulding, the defense includes returning players sophomore Sarah Brown and junior

Elyse Merchant, who both have racked up experience during their many minutes of playing time last year.

After losing seven seniors, which included some of the team’s top players, the Bobcats remain optimistic about the 13 incoming freshman who will fill the void.

“We have so many new players. I am excited to see the team work together for a common goal,” outside midfielder Halle Plagens said.

Schmitt agreed that she is also excited to see who steps up and earns playing time. “We have a lot of young talent but they are very ambitious girls,” she added.

Coach Strauss does not doubt the possibilities the young team holds. She agrees the young talent will easily fill the gaps left behind by the graduating class. Still, she is confident in her veteran players.

“We expect a lot from them,” she said.

Strauss feels there will have to be a combination of both old and new in order to create a successful season.