The Muhlenberg women's soccer team heads into the 2017 season with plenty of youth, but also with plenty of experience.

The Mules regularly started eight freshmen last year, finishing with a deceptive 6-7-3 record. Of their seven losses, six were by one goal, including three to teams that received votes in the Division III preseason poll.

With a year of college soccer under their belts, the members of the sophomore class and the rest of the team are poised to turn those close results into wins. The team is scheduled to open its campaign at Gwynedd Mercy on Friday night.

"Last year ... we were able to progress throughout the year and really come together towards the end," said senior midfielder Carly DeNigris in the team's preview video. "Just taking it one step further and having that true grit as a team and keeping it strong in the last couple of minutes of every game is important this year."

The Mules fielded a stingy defense last year, allowing only 15 goals in 18 games and recording four shutouts in the final six contests. Sophomore Casarah Morales, the Centennial Conference rookie of the year and an all-region selection, anchors the defense at center back along with classmate Madison Ingling. Junior Makenzie O'Brien and sophomore Karolyn Kawa also started the majority of the year in the back.

Sophomores Marissa D'Alessandro and Libby Juliano combined to start all 16 games in goal last fall.

"Defensively, last year we did very well," said senior Molly Chiodo. "We are just going to pick up that pace and keep that confidence level on and off the ball."

Returning players scored all but two of the Mules' goals a year ago. Sophomores Danni Steigerwald and Alyssa Rose tied for the team lead with three tallies apiece, while DeNigris - one of only two seniors on the team - recorded a team-leading four assists.

Sophomores Sarah Hunter, Meghan Allen and Emily Cannavale and junior Meghan MacAskill will also look to contribute to the offense from the midfield.

"We're focusing on being really offensive-minded this year," said junior Sarah Theurer. "That's been helping us get lots of goal opportunities."

"I think that overall we are going to be very successful," said Chiodo.