The ULM soccer team started the 2012-2013 season with a new coach and high expectations. Roberto Mazza enters his first season as ULM’s head coach after previously coaching at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Mazza has two mature returning starters Alyssa Wooden and Taylor Bonetti. Bonetti plays outside midfield and coaches are look to move Wooden from top to a back defender.

At Pine Bluff, Mazza developed players in his system in three and four year periods. Those players did what he asked and made it to the NCAA tournament twice in three years.

Mazza said succes at ULM wouldn’t happen overnight.

“Right now we are striving to get to the tournament and win the first conference game in two years,” Mazza said.

Mazza said he believes players have already bought into his system, but they have to do things they’re not use to.

“It’s about putting the product on the field and everyone doing the things it takes to get in the conference race,” said Mazza.

Last season injuries plagued the team’s season. Senior captain Emily LyBarger and Taylor Epperson both went out with knee injuries, and Alyssa Lopez missed a lot of time due to a neck and shoulder injury.

Center back Antonia Land has taken on the leader role for the Warhawks this season. Land is a very vocal player, and her voice allows her to direct all over the field.

Mazza said, “The girls listen to Antonia’s commands and she has taken a lot of leadership from back there.”

Karlea Fehr is another player who has already made a huge impact, scoring four goals in the first two games. In the first exhibition matchup at Northwestern State, Fehr got a hat trick and then scored the only goal against Central Arkansas at the Warhawks’ home opener.

Senior Kaitlin Morin is a transfer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, previously playing under Coach Mazza.

Mazza said, “The girls are very supportive of Kaitlin and have taken her under their wing.”

Mazza believes the Warhawks lost the first game to a weaker team due to poor performance.

“I’m looking for more energy and less mistakes. Games like that are important for this program so the girls can see what went wrong. If you always win, things get hid under the carpet. That’s the type of game that will fire the girls up for the next upcoming games.”

The team dropped its first game of the season to Centeral Arkansas. The next home game is Sept. 23 against North Texas at 1 p.m.