With 14 freshmen and no seniors, the NIU women’s soccer team will have to step up and try to climb over the steep hill of inexperience that is before them.

The Huskies will be returning 13 players from last year’s 3-14-1 team. With only 11 upper classmen, all juniors, NIU will have to look for someone to step up.

After splitting its first two games last weekend, NIU opens its home schedule Saturday against Illinois State at 2:30 p.m. at Huskie Soccer Field.

“Christie Ehrhardt showed some promise and she’s one that stands out right away,” coach Frank Horvat said. “There are other newcomers who showed promise, but we’re still in the process of trying to sort everything out. We’re pretty happy at what we’re seeing.”

Horvat also mentioned freshman forward Chanelle Crosby and freshman defenseman Kelly Kelso as athletes who have stood out in practice so far.

With Katy Boll gone to graduation and Akiko Iwabuchi now playing midfield, the goalkeeping duties will fall into the hands of junior Leigh Steigerwald. Steigerwald played at East Carolina last year and transferred to NIU in January.

Having so many new faces means that leadership will be an important factor in how far the Huskies go.

“It’s kind of nice that we have no seniors,” junior co-captain Maggie Nowicki said. “We’re hoping this year will be a good year and we’ll be able to build on what we have for next year. We’re young so we get to learn how to be better leaders next year.”

During the preseason, the Huskies suffered a blow as junior forward Courtney Lewis re-injured her knee that she had surgery on last year and will be a medical redshirt.

Freshman Mallory Schaefer also will redshirt this season after injuring her ACL in the first preseason game.

After scoring 19 goals last season, the Huskies will be looking to put a lot of emphasis on that aspect of the game.

“We need to do a better job of finishing,” Horvat said. “Several individuals will need to step up and finish good chances when they’re there and have chances too. That is going to be the key this year.”

With a lot of new faces, coming together as a team will play a major part in how far the Huskies will go, but if preseason is a good indicator, the Huskies are well on their way.

“When I came in as a freshman, personally, I was trying to ignore it, but I really didn’t feel like I fit in,” junior Denise Papke said. “With all these girls we all get along great, whether you’re a freshman or a sophomore we treat each other equally. Making them comfortable with us helps on the field as well.”

After being picked to finish 12th in the MAC in a preseason poll by the league coaches, the Huskies will be looking to make a name for themselves.

“We want to be competitive and gain respect,” Nowicki said. “To make the MAC tournament because we haven’t made it the last couple of years is our biggest goal.”