LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola Women's Soccer got off to a record-setting start in 2014 before ultimately finishing with a 13-6 record following a loss in the GSAC Tournament semifinals.
 
The team enters a new era in 2015 as long-time assistant coach Erin Brunelle steps into the head coaching role.
 
"My expectations are just to see our team chemistry and our drive and determination come out on the field," said Brunelle. "I'm looking forward to seeing the team achieve the goals they have set for themselves."
 
The team has high hopes for the season, following a year where any one of the top five teams in the conference had a realistic chance of walking away with the title.
 
"I'm looking forward to winning a GSAC Championship, and then going to nationals and winning first place in that," said a confident Taylor Venegas.
 
The Eagles return seven starters from last season, and the team also has two goalkeepers returning to battle for the spot left open with the graduation of Briana Williams.
 
Biola's got a very strong core right down the middle of the field, with Venegas attacking, Jessie Burns anchoring the center midfield and 2014's minutes leader Catherine Newberry returning at center back.
 
It also features a strong crew of five very diverse seniors, which will help the eight new players get acclimated to Biola and Biola Women's Soccer.
 
Of those new additions, Brunelle singled out Madyson Brown and Emily Neighbors as players to watch.
 
"They are two very fit defenders/center-mids that can come in and replace some of our graduated seniors that played in the middle and on the back line," said Brunelle. "We brought in a bunch of defenders with our incoming class, so it's going to be a open door for whoever wants to come in and solidify those spots."
 
The 2014 team began the year with six consecutive victories and an 11-1 overall mark through the first 12 games. The 2015 contingent will hope for something similar through their seven game preseason schedule, which leads up to their Golden State Athletic Conference opener on the road against Menlo on Sept. 22.
 
Menlo is brand new to the GSAC in 2015 after spending time in the California Pacific Conference.
 
The biggest home game to watch out for comes early in the conference season when Biola hosts Westmont on Sept. 30. One of the highlights of 2014 was taking down the No. 8 Warriors at home, 1-0, so this year's team will look to repeat.
 
Catch the team in action with their season-opener on Aug. 24 at 7:00 p.m. The game will be played at Al Barbour Field. Admission is free for students, and a free live broadcast can be found at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/biola/.