After watching nine seniors graduate last year, Lehman head girls soccer coach Nauri Garcia understood 2017 could be a bit of a rebuilding season.

But even with a variety of new faces, Garcia is optimistic the Lobos can continue to forge success.

“Last year, we made the playoffs because of depth,” Garcia said. “Those girls that were backups to those seniors are getting positions as starters and taking the role of leaders and being the ones that will be game winners.”

Leading the Lady Lobos will be senior goalkeeper Maya Erwin, who was selected as the 2016 14-6A Player of the Year.

Joining her will be several returning starters including Brittany Avona and Jamie Vargas. Garcia said their experience has gone toward teaching a team comprised of juniors that includes Destiny Eberley. Also returning is sophomore Kyla Johnson.

“They have experience from last year’s squad and that is helping those (younger) players blossom,” Garcia said.

With a new team, however, comes some change. Garcia said the 2017 Lobos are a smaller group from last year, and must also fill the voids left by the previous senior class.

Garcia said the team is working on synchronizing with each other and aiming to find out “what works and what doesn’t.”

What they may lack in stature, they make up with their agility, Garcia said. He said the Lady Lobos are versatile and are “small and quick.”

Garcia said the Lobos could use agility to their advantage, but that the team continues to center on being a “counter-attack team.”

Lehman will take the “defense first” mentality into a tough district 25-6A gauntlet that includes Hays, Lake Travis and Westlake. Joining the fray is Vandegrift, which finished last season as regional finalists in 5A, and Vista Ridge, which reached the 5A state semifinal.

But Garcia said he and the team are up to the task of taking on top tier competition during the district race.

“In order to be the best, you have to beat the best,” Garcia said. “If you’re throwing the best at us first, that’s the challenge we face.”

For Garcia, implementing what they’re trying to run on the field and finding cohesion are some short-term goals for the team.

While soccer is a player’s sport, Garcia said teaching players situational awareness in order to foster success is key.

“You want them to know what their options are when they’re placed in these situations,” Garcia said. “You can’t cover them all, but things happen in patterns. When things do happen, we’ll make sure the girls know what to do.”