SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – In 2009, College of the Canyons first year women's soccer coach Justin Lundin led his team through a season filled with injuries, adversity and lots of learning experiences, both on and off the field.

"Being a first year head coach, last season I learned a lot, not only about what the competition looks like, but how to best prepare the women for their opponent each week," Lundin said. "This year we are going to be much more prepared for the season ahead of us."

Despite posting a record of 9-8-4, the Cougars played well enough to have five players receive Western State Conference (WSC) honors at season's end.

Included in that group are key returning players Michelle Malette, WSC 2nd Team; Kylie Trammel, WSC 2nd Team; Shannon Seigenglanz, WSC Honorable Mention; and Erin Frye, WSC Honorable Mention.

As a result, Coach Lundin is confident the 2010 squad will have the right mix of freshman talent and sophomore leadership and experience to improve upon last season's record.

"We have a very young - but talented - group of freshman, which when paired with our sophomore class, looks like the makings of a very good team," Lundin said. "Things are shaping up real nice."

According to Coach Lundin, Trammel and Malette assumed team captain responsibilities early on during spring and summer workouts, and will serve as the Cougars' team leaders both on and off the field this season.

Also looking to make their mark on the season will be highly talented and hardworking freshman Alyssa Treana from Valencia High School, and Canyon High School product Elia Contreras, who Lundin described as "a very solid player all the way around."

After experimenting with different strategies over the summer, COC will play a 4-4-2 formation and largely feature a possession style offense, which will take advantage of the Cougars' technical ability.

"Our strength is definitely our skill and technical ability," Lundin said. "We will be able to possess the ball very well, and this strategy gives us the best balance for the players we have."

"Our number one goal is to win the conference and qualify for playoffs," added Lundin, "and we do have the players to make a run at it."