While it is in many ways the beginning of a new era for the program — all but one of the remaining players from the inaugural 2011 season are gone — the Sand Sharks return eight starters and a number of key reserves from last year's team that qualified for the Sun Conference Tournament for the third consecutive season, and coach Ed Heberling and assistant Mike Manning added a strong recruiting class.

"I am excited to see the team this season," Heberling said. "We picked up where we left off in the spring and have made some great strides in preseason to commit to each other. With us starting our fifth season the players are ready to further the identity, expectations, and commitment needed to be a Sand Shark. We have had a great foundation laid, but the returning players know we are capable of more in the number of wins and finish in conference."

Last season's 7-11 overall mark and 3-6 conference record was a bit of a disappointment thanks to a number of narrow defeats and myriad injuries, but the Sand Sharks rose to their potential by winning their final three regular-season games and pushing No. 2 seed SCAD Savannah to the brink in a 3-1 defeat in the Sun Conference quarterfinals. 

The returning players are determined to reverse last season's slow start and set the tone for their teammates in the preseason. 

"I have been impressed with Sam Satterlee, Bridgette Noonan, and Karen Pimentel this preseason," Heberling said. "All three returned in shape and have raised the bar for their teammates. It will also be nice to have Alexa Muffley back in the lineup and Hayley Pina back in the attack. Both have the potential to be scoring threats this season."

USCB was picked to finish seventh in the Sun Conference in the preseason coaches poll, but Heberling hopes a difficult early-season schedule will prepare the Sand Sharks to rise to the challenge and finish inside the top six to qualify for the conference tournament.

"We have compiled a challenging non-conference schedule this season that I feel will prepare us well for our conference play," Heberling said. "Our goal is to climb the conference table and finish higher than the 2013 and 2014 season. I feel confident that the team have the motivation, strength, and perseverance to be successful and improve our level of play."

POSITION BREAKDOWN

Goalkeepers

The biggest question entering the season is how the Sand Sharks will fare without two-time All-Conference goalkeeper Chelsie Mummert, who graduated last spring following an outstanding career. Two converted defenders — senior Emily Mentrup and sophomore Mandy Preciado — have auditioned in the preseason, while freshmen Randi Anzek and Sarah Fine provide depth at the position and could contribute as they adjust to playing at the next level.

Defenders

The Sand Sharks figure to be strong along the back line with an experienced group returning. Karen Pimentel, a sophomore who earned All-Sun Conference honorable mention a year ago, anchors the unit along with junior Bridgette Noonan. Preciado is another sophomore with experience and skill at center back, and senior Alexandria Radue and junior Caroline Bowman are returning starters at the outside back positions. Mentrup and sophomore Hanna Crist also return with significant experience, and Brittany Pacifico has added a boost after missing the past two seasons with injuries suffered during preseason training. Freshman Claudia Doll adds even more depth, while junior Taylor Superior, a junior-college All-American last year, is likely to miss the season due to a preseason injury.

Midfielders

USCB lacked height in the midfield last season following the loss of Alexa Muffley to injury in the opening minute of the season's second game, but Muffley — USCB's career leader in goals (11) and points (25) — is back for a second shot at her senior campaign. She is joined in the midfield by junior Sam Satterlee, who was impressive in preseason camp, and promising freshman Eryn Decker. The Sand Sharks have solid depth at the position with senior Pascale Rocca, junior Poppy Miller and sophomore Daniella Borjas, as well as freshman Brittney Neser.

Forwards

The Sand Sharks struggled to find the net at times in 2014 but finished the campaign strong thanks in large part to the emergence of Hayley Pina, who tallied three goals and four assists as a freshman. Pina has developed a strong rapport with sophomore Cameron Croney-Clark, who returns after missing last season following offseason surgery. USCB has plenty of experience at the position with junior Hunter Dye back after redshirting last season and sophomores MJ Orduna and Sarah Withers coming off solid freshman campaigns. Freshmen Erin Burkett Sam Queen provide two more threats off the bench.