Last season Northwestern’s girls soccer team had a new look. The team saw three 2015 graduates depart for Division I college teams along with four other classmates who were key parts of the team for several years.

The Tigers weathered that rebuilding process. They went 13-5 last season and reached the Colonial League title game and the District 11 Class 2A semifinal.

Four players have graduated from that 2015 squad, but Northwestern still has the pieces in place for another successful season.

“We return seven starters,” said Tiger head coach Kelly Bleam. “We have a lot to work with in trying to further develop the team. We have that nice solid foundation to work with. We just have to build around that foundation.”

Four starters graduated in Taylor Slack, Lydia Danner, McKenzi Divers and Haley Hebelka.

First team All Colonial League midfielder Abigail Chisdak returns for her junior season and third year as a starter. The Tigers also bring back All League Honorable Mention forward Sara Hathaway, who will be a sophomore this season.

Senior forward Karlie Bardonner will also be counted on to provide scoring, along with sophomore Maggie Motolese.

Senior defender Emily Renner, a four-year varsity player, returns in the backfield in front of returning junior goal keeper McKenna Amey.

“I think our strength is going to be good team chemistry, good leadership and good technical ability,” said Bleam.

The Tigers are likely to once again be among the top teams in the Colonial League and in contention for league and district championships.

Not only does the team return several key players from last year, but talented players are also ready to step in and fill new roles for the varsity team.

“The freshmen that are coming in this year were real involved in our summer training, which was really great to see,” said Bleam. “I’m hopeful that we might have some help from our youth there and we can fit those girls in and build around our foundation.”

Northwestern opens the season with games at Blue Mountain and Scranton Prep.