Fifth-year Hesston College women’s soccer coach Bryan Kehr believes a dynamic midfield and added talent on the offensive side will propel the Larks to success in 2015.

Last year’s leading scorer Machi Kanematsu (Osaka, Japan) joins newcomers Adele Hofer (Denver, Colo.) and Mika Matsuda (Kyoto, Japan) in the midfield. Freshmen Allison Ebersole (Boulder, Colo.), Genessis Martinez (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Christy Kauffman (West Liberty, Ohio) join sophomore Mikaela Zook (Millersburg, Ind.) as the Larks look to form an exciting attack.

Several talented new faces join returners Jayme Bowers (Goshen, Ind.), Chase Spencer (Oologah, Okla.) Jenna VonBargen (Baldwin City, Kan.) and Enneliese Alcantar (Garden City, Kan.) on the defensive side.

“We have smart players who are anxious to learn,” Kehr said. “A talented freshman class will add to our nice mix of sophomores and I believe we will be fun to watch.”

One of 16 Division I programs in the rigorous NJCAA Region VI, Hesston College Women’s Soccer annually boasts a competitive soccer environment and this year’s schedule is no different. The Larks home opener, a 5 p.m. match versus Cowley College on Saturday, Aug. 22, will be a good measuring stick for the Hesston program.