Cedar Crest girls soccer preview

Cedar Crest

Coach: Jon Brubaker, second season

Last year's record: 11-7-3

Key returners: Alex Burrows, Sr., MF/D; Carli Wasson, Sr., MF; Emma Moreland, Sr., MF; Ariel Jones, Sr., F; Bridgett Finn, Sr., F; Sam Gerhart, So., F; Madyson Brown, So., D.

Promising newcomers: Ali Blizzard, Jr., MF; Gracen Donmoyer, Jr., D; Casey Sillabeer, Jr., D; Sydney Snyder, So., MF; Desiree Leffler, So., GK.

Outlook: The ripples from the Falcons' big splash in last year's district tournament - an upset of No. 2 Governor Mifflin - are still moving. They spread throughout the summer, coursed through camp and are now ready to make waves in the regular-season carrying this message:

Cedar Crest is ready for more.

"That gave them a sense of confidence," Falcons coach Jon Brubaker said of the win. "It reminded them we do have talent. We are capable."

Following the best summer workout attendance in six years, Cedar Crest returns with a loaded midfield and speed to burn up front. Senior striker Ariel Jones and her dozen goals from last season are back, with classmate Bridgett Finn and skilled sophomore Sam Gerhart. Their ability to score in bunches will determine how successfully the Falcons can support their retooled defense, a unit void of three 2015 starters.

Consequently, senior midfielder Alex Burrows, a James Madison commit, figures to at least part-time on defense, where she would join lone returning starter Madyson Brown. Yet the team is confident in the potential of its back-line newcomers, who will likely shifty around, particularly during the grind of section play.

"We have enough there. It's just about moving the pieces around," Brubaker said of the defense. "Now we just have to fit four new pieces and put it together pretty quickly."

Or at least in time for the playoffs. Everyone knows what these Falcons can do then.