The NMU women’s soccer team kicks off their season at 8 p.m. on Friday, September 4th, at Husky Stadium at St. Cloud State University, in St. Cloud, Minn.

The SCSU Huskies are coming off a losing start to their season, playing North Dakota State University last weekend losing by a score of 9-0 in their season opener.

They played their next game at home, losing to The College of Saint Benedict, 2-1.

Last year in their game against the Huskies, the ’Cats lost 1-0, a home season opener for NMU. Senior defense Hailey Beyrand said NMU has been training really hard in preparation for this weekend. “We know what to expect coming in, so we expect a really great game,” Beyrand said.

Head coach Matt Granstrand said he has high hopes for the ’Cats this season. “Our goal is top three in the conference,” Granstrand said. “It’s a pretty high goal but I think we have the talent.”

Senior defense Helen Kiilunen has similar goals “We want top three, to play in the conference tournament and go from there.”

Junior midfielder forward Paula Hafner will return this season, after a sophomore season as the Wildcats leading scorer. Hafner scored 14 goals with three assists in the 2014 season.

Junior goalie Caroline Glantz will be in the net again, last year posting 86 saves and 24 shots against her.

“Our biggest strength is that it’s a close team, we’re a family,” Granstrand said. “We like to be around each other, we like to train, we like to play hard,”

Last season the Wildcats lost six seniors, but only one starting player. This fall the team brings on 10 freshmen, with only two girls in their senior season. A total of 29 girls make up the roster this Fall. NMU ended the season last year with a 7-10-1 record. Beyrand said they’re in good shape despite losing their seniors. “All the freshman have fit in absolutely wonderful.” Beyrand said. “We expect a lot out of them, we picked up a lot of wonderful players”

NMU will play the Winona State University Warriors at  1 p.m. on Sunday, September 6th at Warrior Stadium in Winona, Minn. The Warriors will be coming off of their season opener against Michigan Tech. Last season the ‘Cats lost to the Warriors 4-1 at home, starting out their season 0-2-0.

Beynard said starting the season on the road isn’t shaking the Wildcats.

“As a team we do well, we know how to get the job done on the road,” said Beyrand. “We love our home fans, but we just need to focus and get ready.”