Last season it was all right in front of the Linfield women's soccer team. A missed chance here and a giveaway lead there was quite often the difference between a tie and a win.
 
With a solid returning core this fall, the theme will be to lay it all out on the line in hopes of climbing the Northwest Conference standings after finishing four points behind fifth-place Lewis & Clark. And while this year will be a tough battle all the way around for fifth-year head coach Steve Simmons and his side, that's just the way he likes it.
 
"The level all the way around (the conference) is going to be better," he said. "That's something the players know in the summer and with these first four preseason games. We'll be able to be battle-tested going into our first conference game."
 
Gearing up for more
There's no question the level of talent this team is bringing back. The question might be whether the individuals come together as a group and stack positive results on top of each other.
 
Offensively, the Wildcats return some heavy hitters. In a fabulous freshman campaign, forward Janae Lewis finished among the top 10 in the NWC in shots and shots on goal. She returns to lead a front line loaded with talent.
 
"With our attacking players, we feel pretty good with where we're at," Simmons said. "We've got some attacking players that can really help us out. We're going to try and be just as aggressive as we have been in the past."
 
The loss of Laney Green will impact the team, as she was near the top of the conference in many statistical categories. Returning players such as Mia Curtaz, who helped facilitate the flow of the offense with five assists from a season ago, help steady the offense.
 
Getting defensive
The biggest issue for the Wildcats a season ago was on the back line. Over the past couple of seasons, injuries have plagued the squad. For the team to take a step up this fall, it must reduce on the number of goals allowed after conceding 32 tallies last year.
 
Bella Hanna, Kamahie Samudio, Anna Dazey, Kami Echiverri, Ellie Friedrichsen, Reece Jones and Jenna Stanley all saw significant time for the Wildcats defense a season ago and will anchor the defense.
 
"The majority of that bunch already knows what's coming," Simmons said. "There's a good chunk of players that have prepared properly and know what we need to do defensively. But are also prepared to help us in the attack."
 
Depth in between the posts
Just like the rest of the roster, the goalie position is deep. Emma Mulligan, the goalie for the bulk of the 2021 season, returns for her final campaign. Junior Emilee Miller ranked in the top 10 of the conference in shutouts, saves per game and total saves.
 
But following an outstanding freshman campaign, Alexa Fritz has the current pole position for the starting spot. Fritz led the team in saves last year and boasted an 84 percent save rate over the final nine matches of last season.
 
"We still have a pretty robust goalkeeping core," Simmons said. "(Alexa) Fritz, Emilee Miller and Emma Mulligan day in and day out usually push each other and battle to raise the level. We're feeling pretty good there and we're pretty fortunate to have a strong goalkeeping core."
 
Ready for kickoff
The Wildcats finished last season with a 5-8-7 overall record and a 3-7-6 record in conference play. At home, Linfield had solid success posting a 3-3-3 record but struggled to win on the road, going 1-5-4. For the Wildcats to take a step forward this season, the objective is to turn some of those ties into wins, especially on the road.
 
Coming into this season, Linfield brings in some positive energy from summer and preseason training and hope that momentum can carry into the first part of the season. The 'Cats have early opportunities to buck their losing road trend which has been an issue the past couple of seasons.
 
Linfield opens play on the road against Caltech Sept. 1. They follow that match by traveling to Redlands on Sept. 3.
 
"We want to be aggressive on the road," Simmons said. "We're going to have two really good games against two programs that had good seasons last year. If we can be on the front foot and dictate things, we will be in a good spot."