The Hesston College women’s soccer team will be lead by a small but experienced group of sophomores as the third year of women’s soccer at Hesston gets underway.

Midfielders Amber Repp (Valley Center, Kan.), Brittany Albrecht (Sebewaing, Mich.), and Naomi Nussbaum (Happy Valley, Ore.), along with defender Jessica Herschberger (Shipshewana, Ind.) return to lead the team.

Despite losing last year’s leading scorer Megan Schrock, Coach Kurt Hostetler is optimistic that this year’s team will rely on cohesiveness and teamwork while the freshmen adjust to the college game.

“The team unity that has been displayed has been great,” commented Hostetler. “We’ve had good, intense practices and everyone is supportive of each other and enjoying each other.”

Key freshmen include forward Janna Kaufman (Friedens, Pa.) and midfielder Kelsey Schrock (Wellman, Iowa). The class as a whole includes nine players, and Hostetler is optimistic that the newcomers will contribute early and often.

“Avoiding injuries will be a key for this team,” continued Hostetler. “Our goals include doing well on the field, to bond together and having a good experience.”

The Larks open their 20-game schedule with a trip to Kansas City, Missouri, to take on Maple Woods Community College on August 29. The schedule also includes a fall break trip (Oct. 17, 18) to western Texas, where the Larks will play Ranger (Texas) College and Western Texas College (Snyder). A 5:30 home matchup with Kansas Wesleyan JV during homecoming weekend highlights the home schedule.