VERMILLION, S.D. — The South Dakota women's soccer team has something on its roster it has not seen in a number of years. Experience. The Coyotes return 10 starters from the 2016 squad that won three of the final four games and four of the final six with victories over Summit League Champion North Dakota State and NCAA Tournament participant South Dakota State.
 
"The previous couple of years, we've been on the young side," head coach Mandy Green said. "This year we have seven seniors who have played a lot of minutes. We also have a lot of juniors (seven) with on-field experience."
 
After dropping six games last year by a single goal and fighting to a draw in another match, Green is hoping the experience will show with the veteran group.
 
"Bringing that experience to our team, we hope that they've learned from their mistakes and will help us," Green said. "We hope the experience helps us win the types of games that we lost by a goal last year."
 
The 2017 season officially kicks off Friday at Gonzaga followed by matches at Eastern Washington and Nebraska. The home debut for the Coyotes is Aug. 27 with a 2 p.m. match against Northern Iowa.
 
Amongst the returners for USD is second team all-Summit League selection Katlin Ptacek. The senior defender started all 19 games a year ago, scoring a goal and dishing an assist. Joining her on the back line are seniors Brittney Baker and Katelyn Floysand who also started every game last year.
 
"Katlin has been a leader for us and is our captain for the second-straight year," Green added. "Brittney has played a lot of minutes the last couple of years and we need her to step up and be a leader on the field. Katelyn has seen a lot of minutes in the back. We are looking for them to provide a lot of leadership with their voice and their talent on the field."
 
Other returners include Sammie Villwock, who led the Coyotes with 11 points last year with four goals and three assists. Taryn LaBree tallied two goals and two assists while Kellee Willer totaled 16 shots, scoring a goal and giving an assist.
 
In the net, the Coyotes return Parker Rytz, Sydney Hardin and Coral Suarez. Rytz started 16 games last year with a 1.51 goals against average while Hardin played in 11 matches, starting three, and owned a 1.64 goals against average. The Coyotes also added freshman Emma Harkleroad to the mix.
 
"The goalkeepers are making the decision hard for us," Green said. "All of them have strengths about them. Parker started the exhibition and has a lot of game experience but I think all of them are playing at a high level."
 
Along with Harkleroad, Green brought in nine freshmen and junior transfer Zoe Anderson, an NAIA All-American at Eastern Oregon who broke the single season-record for goals scored with 14 and tallied 36 points.
 
South Dakota began practice on Aug. 1 with an emphasis on consistency.
 
"Day by day we are working on bringing out the best in our team," Green said. "We are trying not to focus on who we play, but focusing on consistency. We have goals but ultimately what it comes down to is show up consistently and play our best.
 
"I think with the talent on this team, if they play to their potential, we are going to be really dangerous this year."
 
Friday's contest is the season opener for Gonzaga which went 6-10-2 last season. Callie Best is the leading returner from a season ago after starting 18 games and scoring two goals. In the goal, Sarah Swanson started 13 games and returns with her 1.89 goals against average. Kickoff is slated for 9 p.m. (CDT) in Spokane, Washington.
 
Sunday's kickoff at Eastern Washington is scheduled for 1 p.m. (CDT). The Eagles are coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance a season ago after winning the Big Sky Conference Tournament and compiling a 13-5-4 record. Eastern Washington returns nine starters including two-time Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year Chloe Williams, who tallied 15 goals and earned a spot on the NSCAA Women's All-Pacific Region Team.