New Covenant Christian girls soccer preview

New Covenant

Coach: Katie Hess, first season

Last year's record: N/A

Outlook: For a program ready to make its debut, New Covenant is equipped with an edge that teams in its position can rarely boast.

Sure, they will be some adjustment and growing pains for the Flames this fall. But this group, comprised of players from three outside programs, is hardly devoid of experience or skill. So now the big-picture focus evolves into how to piece those advantages together and develop into a unit.

"I want these girls to learn the game and learn to play together," said New Covenant coach Kate Hess. "We have a very young team, a very athletic team."

That athleticism and the team's conditioning will undoubtedly serve as foundations of the inaugural season. Carried by their strong junior class, the Flames will travel for seven road games, including kickoffs as far as York and Hanover, while they host just five contests.

New Covenant opens its first season at home against Lancaster Mennonite-Hershey on Sept. 13.