The Webster University 2015 men's and women's soccer teams get into regular season action on September 1, at Illinois College, in Jacksonville, IL.  The women will be shooting for their fourth straight St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title and NCAA III Tournament appearance.  The men, who have won or shared the regular season title the last three seasons, will be looking for a SLIAC tournament championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012.

The women enter the season with a 19-game win streak in conference play while the men are coming off a three-season stretch that has seen them go 22-2-2 in SLIAC regular season play.  Here is a look at the two teams for 2015, starting with the Webster men's squad:

Last year, the Webster University men's soccer team won at least a share of the SLIAC regular-season title for the third consecutive season. This year's version of the Gorloks will seek to accomplish that — and then some — as they prepare to begin the 2015 season.  In 2014, Webster compiled an 8-0-1 conference record and a 10-9-2 mark overall. The Gorloks won the SLIAC regular-season championship outright before falling in the SLIAC Tournament.
 
Several key contributors from last season's squad will look to take another step forward under Michael Siener, who begins his third year as head coach of the men's soccer team. Senior Ramon Perez and junior Brendan Shields were both named 2014 All-Conference honorable mentions. Shields's 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists) placed him third on the Gorloks last year. Also returning is senior Daniel Tovar, who was selected to the 2014 SLIAC All-Tournament team.  A total of 17 returnees from 2014 will combine with 21 newcomers to form what promises to be a dynamic roster for the Gorloks. Of the 21 first-year players, 16 are freshmen.
 
In the SLIAC preseason coaches' poll, Webster was picked to finish second behind Westminster College. Spalding University, Fontbonne University and Greenville College rounded out the top five.
 
The Gorloks will have a challenging non-conference slate to prepare them for SLIAC play. Webster will travel to Iowa to take on Wartburg College and Luther College on Sept. 5 and 6, respectively. Wartburg is ranked 17th nationally in the NSCAA preseason coaches' poll after advancing to the Round of 16 a season ago. Luther went 16-3-1 last year and received votes in the NSCAA preseason coaches' poll.
 
The Gorloks will play host to non-conference opponents, the University of the Ozarks (Sept. 12), Augustana College (Sept. 19) and Simpson College (Sept. 20), which each had winning records last year. Webster will also take on Washington University in St. Louis on Sept. 29 in Clayton.
 
Webster's opener at Illinois College kicks off at 7 p.m.

Outlook for Webster University women's soccer:

The 2014 Webster University women's soccer team had a second straight 9-0 finish in the SLIAC, closing the season with a 19-game conference win streak.  The Gorloks won a third consecutive championship in the SLIAC, and a third straight berth in the NCAA III Championships.  The team finished 14-5-3 overall.

Webster will enter the 2015 season with a balanced group of experienced returnees, and talented newcomers.   The Gorloks will be a determined and disciplined squad, hoping to recreate the offensive force they were in 2014 as they meet the challenges of the 2015 campaign.

Leading the way up top for Webster is an eager group of talented veteran players.   Senior captain Lauren Pratt (SLIAC First-Team All-Conference) finished 2014 with 20 points (six goals/eight asst.).  Kayla Dye, (NSCAA All-Region, SLIAC Offensive Player of the Year, SLIAC Newcomer of the Year), led the team in scoring with 29 points as a freshman.  Junior Allison Ferguson finished with 16 points (six goals/four asst.) and senior Jessica Mess finished third in game winning goals for the Gorloks.

Sophomore Shelby Simmons hopes to bounce back from injury after missing 2014, adding speed and an aggressive style of play to the mix.  Chelsea Noser will look to rebound from an injury that cost her 2014 as well, with her smart positional play being counted on.  Freshmen Jen Laaksonen (Suburban West All-Conference) had 27 points (nine goals/nine asst.) her senior year in HS and will provide punch to solidify the attack.   
               
A balanced mixture of returners and newcomers will also comprise the Gorloks' midfield.  Junior captain Lauren Nuelle (SLIAC Third Team All-Conference) will be a key to our success.  Sophomore Brianna Pagan (NSCAA All-Region, SLIAC first Team All-Conference) finished with 18 points and returns as the leading scorer among the midfielders.  Senior Adrianna Carochi will add creativity and intelligent play to the midfield position.  Sophomore Kelsey Hausmann provides excellent leadership and composure as a wing midfielder.

Junior transfer Kelli Cardine will bring experience and excellent soccer skills to Webster's attack from the midfield.  Cardine (Northern Illinois Big 12 Most Valuable Player, Daily Chronicle Player of the Year) had 28 goals her junior and senior years in HS.  Freshmen Gaby Medrano was First Team All-District her junior and senior years in HS.  Medrano is a fiery competitor who will provide composure and toughness to the midfield.  Freshmen Carolyn Ries (Suburban West All-Conference) adds aggressive play and a physical presence as a wing midfielder.  Freshmen Ashley Yacks' HS squad finished 19-3-1 and reached the finals of the CIF-Southern Division IV (CA) championship.  Yacks was Second Team All-Conference and is a play-maker whose composure and unselfish play should add to the midfield.

The defense looks to be steady and consistent again in 2015.  Heading the backfield will be SLIAC All-Conference performer, senior captain Ashley Mess.  Mess' leadership will be key to the team's defensive success.  Mess sets the tempo in the backfield with her intense play.  Senior Sarah Darabcsek's hard-tackling style and quickness will be essential to the team's ability to transition from the back.  Junior Jodi Kaiping will be counted on to provide excellent defensive and strong distribution skills to the unit.   Sophomores Elena Bloma (SLIAC All-Conference), Leah Heath, and Sydney Tedesco all bring excellent one on one marking skills and a toughness beneficial to the defense.  

The goal will be in good hands in 2015 with sophomore Robin Bolme and Freshmen Alisa Coralic.   Bolme will bring a wealth of experience and compete for the starting goalkeeper position.  Coralic (Suburban West All-Conference) will make a strong case for playing time and provide the team with an excellent option at the keeper position.    

The Gorloks kick off at 5:00 p.m. on September 1 at Illinois College.