UNA’s women’s soccer team will kick off the regular season in Miami, Fla Sept. 2 and 4.

The Lions have high hopes entering this season returning all 11 starters, including UNA career goal scorer Chloe Roberts, to the team, which reached the regional play-offs. The team will face the St. Thomas Bobcats Friday and Barry University on Sunday.

“We are going to focus on our game and make adjustments as needed,” Head Coach Graham Winkworth said. “If we can go in a game confident, then we can come out of every game with a victory.”

The team will be playing against unfamiliar territory when they are matched with the Sun Conference’s St. Thomas.

St. Thomas began their season this past weekend with a win against the Southeastern Fire.

UNA freshman midfielder Danielle Scanlon said the team has been focusing on technical possession of the ball. The team has also strengthened its defense.

“The team is more possession-oriented. We have a good ability on the counter-attack and the defense will be difficult to break down, Winkworth said.”

Defense will be key when the Lions play Barry University Sunday morning.

Barry will be returning sophomore Emma Karp, who scored four goals against the Lions in her debut last year. Karp recorded 20 goals and had 48 points for her team last year.

“She’s a dangerous player, an All-American,” Winkworth said.

He said that all of Karp’s goals are scored in a similar fashion and that UNA will have to limit her options.

“If we play professional and keep possession of the ball, we’ll be good,” he said.

Though they will be competing against non-conference teams, the women will continue to play to their full potential.

“We have the idea that we don’t want to lose,” sophomore forward Sarah Beth Henderson said. “To face every game the same, playing the best we can.”

“We know how important every game is. There won’t be a lack of motivation going into non-conference games, Winkworth said.”

The Lions open the season traveling to Miami, Fla. and the Lions only play one home game over the first two weeks of the season.

Travel at the beginning of the season will enhance the team’s bonding. “Coach wants us to be sisters, and we really are, Henderson said.”

Winkworth said that it’s good to build support at the beginning of the season that can carry throughout the year.

“We’ve been working on all aspects of the game,” Winkworth said. “Hopefully we can make it all gel together.”