TIFFIN, Ohio -- When the Heidelberg University women's soccer team returns to Hidden Valley Soccer Complex for the 2021 season, they will do so with revamped leadership on the sideline. 

THE COACHES:
Former women's coach Nick Spell was named Director of Soccer and will oversee aspects of both the men's and women's teams this fall. Madalynn McLaughlin makes the step up from graduate assistant to interim head coach for the 2021 season. Former player Sophie Huber joins the coaching staff as a graduate assistant. 

THE SCHEDULE:
The Student Princes will begin their season on the road at Calvin College on Wednesday for a 4 p.m. contest. The first home match will follow on Saturday against Olivet in Hidden Valley at 1 p.m. 

OAC competition kicks off on October 2 in Wilmington against the Quakers, with the first conference home game the next weekend against Marietta. Heidelberg will conclude the regular season on October 30 against Muskingum for Senior Day in Hidden Valley. 

THE ROSTER:
Heidelberg enters the season with three captains on the squad. Audrey Kaufman, Meredith Bruce and Ainsley Tucker will lead the Student Princes from the field. 

Kaufman returns after earning All-OAC honorable mention honors last season. The junior from Hilliard led the Berg in points with two goals and one assist. Makenzie Damsa will contest her sophomore season for the Student Princes, the forward scored two goals in her first year with the team last year. 

The Student Princes will retain three regular starters from the defensive line last season. Katelynn Helminiak, Sophia Jackson and Megan Hamilton started a combined 26 games on defense in the shortened season. Tucker was a consistent leader in the midfield, starting in all nine games last season. 

Bruce is returning after starting all nine games of the shortened season in goal and collecting 70 saves. 

In addition to the returners, Heidelberg boasts a strong freshman class that will be competing for playing time on the varsity pitch. 

QUOTES FROM McLAUGHLIN:
"With Covid and many internal changes; the past 18 months have been a mental and physical challenge for our student-athletes, but the ladies came in more prepared than ever this year. As a staff, we have implemented a new perspective that the ladies are buying into and trusting. This is a special group with lots of experience and fresh mindsets. We are fired up about the 2021 season and are ready to earn the respect of the OAC." 

HOW TO FOLLOW:
BergAthletics.com will have up-to-the minute information on schedule cancelations and alterations all season long.  Additionally, links for live video and live stats will be published as they become available.