Entering his third season, University of Regina women's soccer head coach Bob Maltman had another solid crop of incoming recruits and feels that his Cougars are ready to take the next step towards the rest of the Canada West competition.

That first opportunity to take that step comes this weekend, as the Cougars open up their 2009 schedule with a road trip to Calgary and Lethbridge.

“I've been very impressed with the commitment shown by the returning veterans and the way that the first-year players have fit in so far,” Maltman said. “The bottom line is that we need to win games, and I'm confident that we have the talent and desire to do that this season.

The team's biggest asset might be in net, where team co-captain Michelle Anderson will hold down fort again for the second consecutive season. Anderson was nothing short of spectacular last season, boasting a goals-against average of just 1.22 and finishing third in the conference with an .862 save percentage.

On the back line, scrappy Sarah Novak will patrol left back with Catherine Lukan expected to see the bulk of the minutes at right back. Stacey Wilson, Kelsey Abstreiter, and Dana Renneberg will anchor the defence at the centre back position. Also in the mix is Keisha Riddell, a first-year Regina product that has impressed in practice so far.

Maltman has the services of a talented midfield, led by co-captain Randi Schmeichel. Schmeichel, who started 13 of the team's 14 games last season, will see time at the center mid position along with Chelsie Dorosh and first-year players Jessica Meyer and Meagan Cormier. Tegan Koroluk, who led the Cougars with two goals last season, has continued to progress offensively and should start at right outside midfield. At left outside midfield, versatile veteran Nicole Renneberg will see plenty of field time in her final season of CIS eligibility. Hailing from Pitt Meadows, B.C., rookie Maddie Sonea has impressed Maltman with her change of pace and will see time at one of the outside midfield positions.

Tiffany Gyurek, who started 11 games last year, will make the move from midfield to forward this season. She'll be joined up front by fifth-year veteran Natalia Hernandez-Solano, Kimbi Wiebe, and rookie Adrianna Bonutti. Maltman is still unsure about the injury status of Nakia Forsberg, who scored five goals during the 2007 season but missed the majority of last season due to knee problems.

The Cougars will meet the Dinos this weekend on Saturday in Calgary and will play the Pronghorns on Sunday in Lethbridge before returning to Regina.

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