WINFIELD, Kan. — After a 2024 season marked by grit, close contests and steady improvement, the Southwestern College women's soccer team enters 2025 with a deeper roster, experienced leaders and an ambitious plan to close the gap in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.

"I definitely think we're on the up," head coach Harry Simpson said. "The conference has been improving every year, and we're in a good space to start showing we can compete."

Signs of progress

Southwestern finished 4-10-4 overall last season, going 4-5-4 in conference play. A three-match unbeaten streak in October featured wins over McPherson (1-0), Friends (1-0) and Sterling (2-1), showcasing the team's defensive resolve. The Moundbuilders posted three shutouts and held seven opponents to one goal or fewer.

Senior goalkeeper Hayden Clark, an All-KCAC selection, anchored the defense. She appeared in 16 matches and recorded 102 saves with a .779 save percentage despite playing through injury for much of the season.

"She did a fantastic job last year," Simpson said. "We're hoping to keep her healthy and ready to go for her senior year."

Freshman midfielder Lou Forder also earned all-conference honors after stepping into a major role.

"She's somebody who's going to help us not only on the field but in keeping the expectations high," Simpson said.

Captains Ella Wiechman and Natalie Belanger return as experienced presences in defense and midfield, reinforcing a core group Simpson calls "integral for our standards."

An influx of new talent

Southwestern's 2025 roster will feature 18 newcomers — 17 freshmen and one graduate transfer — making it, in Simpson's view, the deepest and most competitive group he has coached at the school.

The incoming class includes several standouts, among them Danni Brosamle-Norton, Jamie Lawrence, Elizabeth Holladay and Singapore international Sarah Hobrecht, who will join the team later this month after national team duty. Freshman goalkeeper Liliana Hernandez is also expected to arrive soon.

"It's hard to single out just a couple," Simpson said. "We've been impressed with all of them. It's making my job harder — but those are the tough decisions I like to have."

Even with the addition of offensive talent, Simpson's preseason focus remains on building from the back.

"If our culture is right and the defensive side of things is right, the attacking side will figure itself out," he said. "We want to be defensively sound and make sure we don't concede a lot of goals."

With a fortified roster, veteran leadership and a coach who embraces competition, the Moundbuilders enter 2025 confident they can climb the KCAC standings.

"The gap is getting smaller," Simpson said. "We just have to keep pushing ourselves to close it even more."