After a trip to the Sweet 16 last season, the St. Edward’s women’s soccer team opened their 2010 season with a pair of victories.

St. Edward’s defeated Washburn 1-0 on Sept. 3, followed by a 5-1 win over Eastern New Mexico on Sept. 5.

In the match against Washburn, junior Kelly Servage took advantage of a penalty kick in the 12th minute, giving the Hilltoppers an early lead.

Washburn tried to even the score with a 20-yard shot in the 38th minute, but goalkeeper Claire Tilton made the save. The Hilltoppers would hold on for their first win of the season.

The Hilltoppers dominated in their second game against Eastern New Mexico, garnering 20 shots on goal.

The Hilltoppers’ trip to the NCAA Division-II Sweet 16 last year was the best finish of any team in program history. There, the Hilltoppers fell to West Texas A&M University in penalty kicks.

St. Edward’s enters this season ranked 15th in the nation, according to National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Poll.

Junior Bethany Bennett and sophomore Stephanie Lawrence both agree that preseason polls are good to look at to see where the team is at, but at the end of the day the polls mean nothing.

“Whoever wants to win the most and whoever is prepared to win the most is the team that is normally going to take the victory,” Bennett said.

Lawrence added that the polls shouldn’t affect the team’s confidence level.

Four seniors left after last season, and the team gained eleven freshmen. But the team also welcomed back nine starters and 15 letter winners.

The women are also focusing on team chemistry, which head coach Nick Cowell believes is vital to success.

“Our team chemistry can be great if people sacrifice their own success for the good of the team,” Cowell said.

Bennett and Lawrence both agree that last year’s team played very consistently with great chemistry, which they are looking to continue.

Cowell noted that fans should expect to see one of the fastest teams that the program has ever had. He also said that the team has been working on developing a strong offensive mentality.

For the first time this year, the team has set specific goals for the season and will meet regularly to discuss their progress.

“It’s different from anything we’ve ever done, and I think it will really keep us focused,” Bennett said.

The team is also hoping to draw in larger crowds at home games this season.

“We have one of the premier women’s soccer teams in the nation playing on our beautiful location, and we would like to see more and more fans at our games,” Cowell said.

The Hilltoppers travel to Edmond, Okla., to take on Central Oklahoma on Friday.