ANDERSON, S.C. - In a year of transition that saw first-year head coach Ciaran Traquair lead Anderson University women's soccer to seven victories and a berth into the South Atlantic Conference Championships after a one-year hiatus, the Trojans open their 2015 regular season schedule in early September looking to make a deeper run into the postseason.

AU closed the 2014 campaign with a 7-10-1 overall record with four of its wins coming inside the conference. With their four league triumphs, the Black and Gold inched into the conference tournament, but saw their season come to a close in the opening round to top-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne. With the setback, Anderson continues to search for its first-ever SAC Tournament win in five years.

Despite their early exit in the postseason, the Trojans saw a lot of positives as Lyssa Engle was tabbed SAC Freshman of the Year, becoming the first AU player to earn the honor. Engle joined standout Faith Johannes on the All-SAC First Team at the end of the regular season, as both players return to the lineup in 2015. Midfielder Mariana Poveda, who also returns to the lineup, earned postseason honors and claimed a spot on the SAC Honorable Mention list.

The Trojans did not carry a single senior on the roster in 2014, as 14 players return for this season. Three of those players suffered season-ending injuries during the year, which created a depth problem for Traquair and his staff. With a large core returning the lineup, including one of the program's largest recruiting classes, Traquair hopes the depth problem will not affect the Trojans in 2015.

A major impact the large recruiting class will have right away is the addition of two freshman goalkeepers in Abby Helm and Bianca Porras. Last season, Anderson carried just one goalkeeper, Sadie Lancaster, as she ranked 73rd in the nation in minutes played with just over 1,635. Seeing all but four minutes and 21 seconds in goal, Lancaster closed the season with 77 saves and four shutouts. With the addition of two goalkeepers, the position looks to be a strong suit for the upcoming year.

The backline will be anchored by Johannes, as she readies for her final season with the Black and Gold. Despite starting all 18 matches in front of Lancaster, the transfer from UNLV tied for second in goals with four and tied for the team lead in assists with four. Junior Jaclyn Kubiak also returns to the lineup after starting all 18 matches a season ago, while former walk-on Kristin Herbert found a starting role on the outside with 16 starts and six shots on goal. Senior Ali Palacios, who was lost due to a season-ending injury during the preseason in 2014, can also contribute on the defensive or offensive side of the ball.

Looking to provide some depth along the backline will be newcomers Sophie Riggs, Kaelin Cote, Hannah Liner and Abby Johnson.

Traquair may have his most depth in his midfield, as seniors Poveda, who started in 17 matches a season ago, and last season's captain Emily Cowan provide experience to the position. Bouncing back from a season-ending injury in 2014, junior Tera Dolan, who scored two goals in her freshman season, looks to make a comeback and contribute right away. Also looking to recover from a season-ending injury is sophomore Rachael Whaling, who scored AU's first two goals of last season in a 2-0 win over Southern Wesleyan before sitting out the rest of the year.

Newcomers Megan Foster, Kenzie Van Heusen, Lexxi Longmore, Lauren Jensen and Marie Alidou will be added depth for the upcoming season, a trait the Trojans were lacking a season ago.

Up front, Engle returns to the Black and Gold after scoring a team-high 11 goals and posting 40 shots. At one point during last season, Engle scored in five straight games, including a four-goal performance in a 4-1 victory over Mars Hill on Sept. 27. Engle is joined by fellow returners Abbey Mills, Alaina Gay and Emily Perez. Gay, who switched over to an attacking role from her freshman season, tied for second on the team in goals with four, while Mills handed out three assists.

Three additions were made over the offseason at the forward position, as Idoia Agirre, Victoria Lange and Maggie Gossett look to find the goal column in the upcoming season.

Anderson opens its regular season on Sept. 3 when it hosts Shorter, marking the first meeting between the schools. After four nonconference matchups to begin the campaign, the Trojans welcome Coker to Trojan Stadium on Sept. 16 for their first SAC clash of the year.