The University of Regina women's soccer team travels to Winnipeg this weekend to begin their 2014 conference play. The Cougars will meet the University of Manitoba Bisons on Friday night and face off against the University of Winnipeg Wesmen on Saturday. Friday night's contest is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT. Saturday's match is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

The Cougars enter conference play with a 3-3-1 non-conference record, including a split against the Wesmen.

Regina is led by head coach Bob Maltman, who enters his eighth season at the helm. Joining Maltman on the coaching staff are Sebastian Harenberg and Rob McCaffrey.

The Cougars, who qualified for the postseason for the second straight year in 2013, will lose two-time Canada West all-star and goal-scoring leader Meagan Cormier as well as clutch striker Tayler Firth, who holds the school record for career game-winning goals.

Leading the group of returning players for the Cougars is fifth-year veteran and co-captain Molly Glass, who will move back to anchor the team's central defenders this season. The other co-captain also hails from Prince Albert and patrols the back line, as Racquel Marshall (pictured) enters her fourth season of eligibility.

With Cormier and Firth graduated, Maltman expects both Veronica Boesch and Jayde McFee to play large roles for the Cougars front line. Rookie strikers Brianna Wright and Olivia Bolen will also look to make an impact up front after strong non-conference play to begin the year.  

The midfield will have a new look this year with Jessica Meyer gone and Glass moving to the back line. Karlee Vorrieter saw a lot of action as a second-year player last year and will play as an attacking midfielder this season. Kayla McDonald, Adriana McCullough, and Shayla Kapila are all expected to play a significant role for the Cougars.

Joining Glass and Marshall on the defensive end of the pitch will be second-year player Rachel Taylor, returning wing backs Celia Michaud and Anna Ogenchuk, and rookie Angela Lalonde.

Kacey McFee is poised to be the starting keeper for the Cougars after a strong campaign in 2013.

Following this weekend, the Cougars are to host the University of Alberta and Mount Royal University with their home-opening weekend at the U of R Field.