The Lewis University women's soccer program enters 2014 with the goal of moving into the upper echelon of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Several Flyers who earned significant playing time as underclassmen are now juniors and seniors. It is up to this experienced group to lead the squad toward this goal.
     The Flyers opened last season with a bang by winning their first four matches. Lewis was 6-1-1 near the midpoint of the season but went 4-6-1 the rest of the way. Three of the four losses came in extra time. The stumbles down the stretch cost the Flyers a berth in the GLVC Tournament.
     "What it comes down to is we didn't do what we needed to do (to make the GLVC Tournament)," Lewis University head coach Chris Koenig said. "We had some injuries defensively that challenged us near the end of the season and we lost some close games. However, I feel our group learned a great deal from being in that position and young players gained valuable experience."
     Much of that experience extends to the Flyers' offense. Lewis returns their five leading goal scorers off a 2013 squad that finished fourth in the league in goals per game (1.65). Junior Jessica Chavez (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora) led the team in goals with nine and earned All-GLVC Second Team and NSCAA All-Midwest Region Third Team honors. Junior Lauren Grady (Algonquin, Ill./Jacobs) scored six goals last year and junior Maggie Moran (Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows) totaled four. This group has a combined 96 career starts in a Lewis uniform. Simply having your leading scorers return is a benefit to any team, but Koenig likes the intangibles that comes with an experienced offensive group.
     "I'm looking forward to seeing that core that made an impact as freshmen and sophomores take ownership of the team," Koenig said. "They understand how to prepare and train and can dictate that to the rest of the team."
     Koenig has also been impressed with the preparation of senior Susan Thomas (Algonquin, Ill./Marian Central Catholic). The midfielder has played in 48 games over her first three years.
     "So far watching Susan during preseason it is clear she is ready for the year," Koenig said. ³Susan has the ability to be one of the best midfielders in the league this year."
     The Flyers will turn to senior Mara Bennett (Portage, Mich./Portage Central) in goal in 2014. She started four games last year.
     "Mara is playing with a lot of confidence right now," Koenig said. "She is in position to have the senior year that she was hoping to have, which is great to see."
     Koenig has liked the mental makeup of his squad in the preseason.
     "We've had some significant injuries in the preseason but the team has showed a lot of resiliency from it, which is a positive," Koenig said. "The focus remains on the day-to-day training and the little things to reach the big picture goals.²
     Lewis follows non-conference games against Charleston (West Virginia) and Findlay with a robust 15-game conference schedule.
    "The level of play in the GLVC makes it a challenge every game," Koenig said. "It is really a grind and I think if you get caught comparing yourself to each team in the league you can lose track of the process. We have to stay focused on what we do well and do it consistently."
     The Flyers get their first chance in GLVC play Sept. 12 at home against Drury.