By James Hernandez

Year two of the women's soccer era symbolized a fresh start for both the program and first year head coach Rob Dahl. Following an up and down 2016 season in which the team finished 9-9-1, the team hoped to cement a solid foundation for the future in 2017.

With only three returning sophomore's the task of a winning campaign was going to be an uphill battle.

The lack of experience was evident early as the team struggled out of the gate with a 0-3-2 start to the season. CSN captured victories in five of its next nine matches, however a four game losing streak in the middle of the season doomed the Lady Coyotes chances of a finish above the .500 mark. 2016 Region XVIII keeper of the year Carolina Velasquez (3.17 GAA, .637 save percentage, 79 saves) showed flashes of brilliance throughout the season, however an inexperienced defense in front of her made life tough for the athletic net minder.

Former Las Vegas high school standout Ashlee Jordan (5 goals, 2 assists, 12 points) had a freshman season for the books, tying for the team lead in goals scored and earning a spot on both the 2017 All-Region XVIII first team and All-tournament team. Sophomore standout and former Desert Oasis standout Sydni Aldan (5 goals, 10 points) joined freshman teammate and former Coronado Cougar Olivia Meza (3 goals, 3 assists, 9 points) on the All-Region XVIII second team after becoming key contributors for coach Dahl in 2017.

With only seven sophomore players departing the program, the cupboard is stocked with some elite returning talent. It is just a matter of time until the women's soccer program capitalizes on the soccer talent in the Silver State and transforms itself into a perennial contender in the Scenic West Athletic Conference.

Fans there is no offseason in women's soccer! Stay logged onto www.csncoyotes.com all offseason for all the latest happenings as well as Twitter @CSN_Wsoc and Facebook CSNCoyotes.