SIOUX FALLS -- After losing the 2020 season due to the CoVID-19 pandemic, the University of Sioux Falls Soccer Team is focused on continuing to develop a program which has made substantial progress over the previous seasons.
 
The Cougars, which will open the season with a home match against Northwest Missouri State on Friday, Sept. 3 at 6 pm at the USF Sports Complex, will look to improve on the 4-13-1 mark of 2019 (4-10-1 in league play).
 
"Each season our team has improved upon the previous year and I think this year will be no different," said USF seventh-year Head Coach Brittany Domino. "The one thing I believe is different this year is our depth in every position on the field. And, I think we are building a bond that will carry over as they compete," said Domino, who is assisted by second-year Assistant Coach Ashley Haflett.


 
USF returns 13 players from the 2019 team and have added 12 new faces. "We expect there to be significant competition for starting spots and playing time everywhere on the field," said Domino.

Upfront, USF will have leading scorer Grace Held, who had three goals and seven points in 18 matches (10 starts) in 2019. Five new players, including freshman Hannah Welch, will bring depth and skill for the Cougars to the USF front. In the midfield, returner Kyla Gushard (17 matches – 10 starts) and Player to Watch Aundria Vargas are among the individuals expected to contribute.
 
In the back line, returner Bailey Kerhli and Player to Watch sophomore Kelsey Oswald provide strength and athleticism. In goal, USF will feature three keepers, senior Alexis Wemhoff, junior Holli Knudsen and freshman Caroline Titze.

Alexis Wemhoff, a veteran goalkeeper for the Cougars, is looking forward to starting the new season off strong. 

"I really like how much intensity and energy the team members are bringing to practice," said Wemhoff, who recorded a .776 save percentage with 52 saves in 2019. "We have done a lot of hard work this summer and fall and have improved so much. It's fun to watch the freshman improve and grow as well," said Wemhoff. 

Oswald, an outside back, is another Cougar excited to get back out onto the field after the USF didn't have a season a year ago.

"Being able to push each other during practice has been awesome, but now seeing that come to fruition in a game will be amazing," said Oswald.

In addition, the team continues to build team chemistry, which the players and coach cited as important to the team's success.

"This year we have talked a lot about being a family and what that entails," said Taylor Kelley, a senior from Sioux City, Iowa. "I think that helps out the chemistry - being their for each other and working hard toward a common goal," she added.