Expectations are high for the Baker University women’s soccer team after placing third nationally in the NAIA tournament last year.

The Wildcats are ranked No. 1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll as well as No. 5 in the nation.

“That was a great nod for probably how we finished last year and the great effort that went into that, but I think it also provides a tremendous challenge that we’ve never had to face before, which is that now teams actually circle us on the schedule,” head coach Nate Houser said. “How do you handle that kind of pressure and that fight that you’re going to get day in and day out?”

Baker lost seven seniors in May, including standout midfielder Christine Janssens.

Despite losing experienced players from last year’s team, the Wildcats are returning some key contributors.

Senior Alix Schiraldi, who led the ’Cats with 13 goals last season, and Baker Orange staff member Jordan Dolbin, who led with 11 assists and recorded 10 goals, will both be returning this year.

Along with the seasoned players on the team, there are some talented newcomers joining the mix,which should add some depth to the team.

“(The new players) are really doing an awesome job,” senior Jessica Shiney said. “We have a lot of talent and all the girls have a lot of potential, and it is really exciting to see that, especially this early in the season.”

Freshman Shelby Schiraldi, the younger sister of Alix Schiraldi, said even though they sometimes argue at practice, she appreciates her sister’s help on the field.

“I look to (Alix) as a leader,” Shelby said.

Shelby will be playing centerback and is looking forward to playing her first college match.

“I’m just really excited to finally get to play in a real game and not just against each other,” Shelby said. “I just want to see how well we do and what we need to work on still. I’m just really excited to play.”

The Wildcats had a conference record of 4-3-2 and an overall record of 14-6-4 last year. This season the team will face some rivals from last season, including Hastings College, who beat Baker in the NAIA Fab Four and went on to play in the NAIA national championship game.

The team left Wednesday to travel to Salt Lake City to play its first two games of the season.

The ’Cats play Westminster College at 1 p.m. Friday at Dumke Field and Rocky Mountain College at 1 p.m. Saturday at Dumke Field.

After the two matches in Utah, the Wildcats will continue to play on the road against Park University and John Brown University before playing their home opener against Oklahoma Baptist University at 3 p.m. Sept. 16 at Liston Stadium.