The Western Nebraska Community College women's soccer team is ready to get going and this year's team is full of talent.

                The Cougar women will open the season in Ephraim, Utah, when they face Northwest College on Friday, August 22 and Yavapai College on August 23.

                WNCC women's head coach Todd Rasnic said this team is ready to get started.

                "I think so. I mean, I shouldn't say I think so. Yes, we're ready to go play. We certainly have done the work," Rasnic said. "We've got our organization together. We did add two new players within the last couple days that were stuck because of the visa (delays) and so the only question is how quickly can they adapt to the team environment."

                Rasnic said this team has plenty of talent on it and has all the potential to battle for a regional title. Last year the Cougars managed just three wins, falling in several close contests.

                "We've got to play games to see exactly how talented we are, but they certainly look like that. They are an improved squad," he said. "Last year we stayed in a lot of matches and could've won a lot of matches, however, we just simply didn't have the numbers and this year we have a roster size of 20."

                What makes this team special is depth and plenty of players that can put the ball in the net.

                "We have a lot of quality athletes who can play. Those are big factors, but I would say the number one factor that we have is we have several players with the ability to score goals," Rasnic said. "We really struggled last year in the final third  in trying to score goals and so having a new group in here that have proven consistently during training that they can score goals that really gives us a sense of excitement for the year."

                The Cougar women return five players that saw action a year ago. Those five include Danae Montalvo of Quito, Ecuador; Amanda Duarte of Tangara da Serra, Brazil; Audrey Gosener of Cassville, Missouri; Mariah Russel of Scottsbluff, and Tanner Nelson of Loveland, Colorado.

                WNCC also had two players that were part of the team last year. Rachel Riordan had to red-shirt last year because of an injury and she is from Acworth, Georgia, and Marit Schelstraete came in at semester and played with the team during the second semster. Schelstraete is from Oost-Souburg, Netherlands.

                The Cougars also have another sophomore who transferred from Dodge City Community College in Melanie Belder. Belder is from Rotterdam, Netherlands.

                The women's team also have several freshman that should be fun to watch.

                The freshmen include goalkeepers Rory Weizenegger of Greeley, Colorado, and Feline Groenwold of Groningen, Netherlands.

                The other freshman include Lilian Shindle of Greeley, Colorado; Aeisasha Lashley of Stoney Ground, Anguilla; Adryanna Rodriquez of Scottsbluff; Julia Santos of Passo Fundo, Brazil; Allison Herbel of Gering; Nia Trevino and Stefanie Ceja-Gomez of Greeley, Colorado; Camila Emanuelle de Souza of Brazil; Irene Romero Molina of Alicante, Spain; and Candela Martin of Madrid, Spain.

                Rasnic said two returners that are having a good pre-season are Montalvo and Duarte. Both were also named captains for the team this year.

                "We have Danae Montalvo from Ecuador. She's such a solid center back and then also Amanda, both are captains," he said. "Amanda consistently last year played at a very high level. She's a big strong gal and she needs to be. She's technically sound and she has a good soccer mind."

                As for the freshman, he sees several players standing out.

                "I think of the freshman that stand out to me number one is Julia. She is a very solid midfielder," Rasnic said. "Another very solid player is Irene from Spain. Irene plays right back for us. She'll also be good but if I had to choose a player who so far in preseason as impressed me is Julia from Brazil. She has done a very good job.

                "Camilla coming in at left back for us from Brazil. We just have a lot of good solid international players and we mixed a couple local players in with that you've got returning Mariah Russell. And then we brought in the two new gals one from Scottsbluff and one from Gering with Allison Herbel and Adryana Rodriguez. Both have been showing while in training, so we expect good things from the team this year."

                After this weekend, the Cougars will be back on the road at a classic at Iowa Lakes Community College where they will face Iowa Lakes Community College and St. Louis Community College.

                The Cougars first home game isn't until September 19 and 20 when they host Otero College and Trinidad State College.

                So, what will it take to win this year? Rasnic said that is simple, we have to stay disciplined.

                "I just think we need to stay disciplined. You know that's the key always in my mind is discipline and being treated to the training," he said. "It's like any coach will tell you in any sport, you can train all day long but unless the players go out and execute, it's a tough road. Soon opening weekend we're going find out if they have the ability to execute our game plan and keep the wheels in motion going forward here to try to build some momentum as the season begins."