Entering year No. 3 as head coach of the Southwest Women's Soccer program, Nicole Cooper is eager to keep pushing forward hoping to keep the arrow pointing in the right direction.

"We're really excited about our incoming players but also our returners," she said. "This is a really special group. They are committed and dedicated to bringing success to this program. But also we have done a better job of recruiting in-state girls from more competitive programs."

Through the preseason, the Lady Bears played four matches and finished with a 3-2 record. But beyond what is on paper, Cooper was impressed with what she saw on the pitch and how some changes that she and her staff made, came to fruition.   

"There were a lot of good things that we have not seen previously in these past couple of years, changing up our formation and bringing in a little bit of different personnel, position-wise," she said. "I'm really excited to see what's to come."

Another aspect that Cooper and her staff want to implement is not only versatility with moving players around but also better conditioning and team speed.

"We do have some players that can play multiple positions but the big difference this year is that we have girls that are really good at their one position and that is something that we haven't had in the past," she said. "We plan on running a 4.33. In the past we haven't had the personnel that fit that style and this year we do. We will be very creative in our attacking third."

Among the key returners for the Lady Bears is Evie Peet who finished second on the team in scoring last season with 19 points on five goals and nine assists as well as Mia Encinia who looks to pick up where she left off last season after getting over a previous injury. Both have been named captains for Southwest this season.

"Its been really nice seeing Evie step into that role for us, she played semi-pro ball over the summer," Cooper said. "She really started understanding her role as a ten and the expectations of what we want in that position. She is quality all-around, she is fit, she has good distribution, she can shoot, she can attack. She is going to be a really big part of our success this year. Mia, she also played semi-pro this summer. Her team made it to nationals and she scored three goals in four games all on back-to-back days. Her leadership is a little bit different as she leads by her play."

Ava Benton is another returner who played semi-pro ball this summer and is anxious to carry over what she learned to help Southwest this fall. Other returners include Addie Stanford, Mallory Martin, Josi Spears, Mary Grace Bilello, Tiaona Frick, and Arely Diaz.

They join a group of freshmen who are eager to make their mark as well. Among the new additions in a slew of talent are midfielder Nicole Galvan, goalkeeper Addison Champagne and forward Zoey Brown, among others.

Another unique aspect is the number of preseason matches. The five this season is the most under Cooper as it was only two each during her first two seasons as head coach.

In addition a new formation will also be on display as Cooper and her staff wanted to include wingers.  

"We've been wanting to play with wingers or have a formation that incorporates wingers and getting into the attack, stretching the field and making it a little more dangerous on the back line or the defense," she said.

Joining Cooper on the sideline once again is her husband and assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Dalton Cooper. A new addition to the staff this season is volunteer assistant and former Bear Kaleb Jones, someone who both of the Coopers coached in the past.

The Lady Bears begin the 2025 regular season Friday at 11 a.m. at home against Jacksonville College.