Can the Prior Lake girls soccer team become a factor again in the South Suburban Conference and in Section 2AA?

The Lakers have netted just 10 total wins in the first two seasons under coach Blair Rummel, finishing 5-9-3 overall last fall (4-3-2 in the SSC). The team will have to replace eight seniors from last year's squad, but there's talent back.

"Last season we beat some of the best teams in the state, but also tied and lost some games that I feel like we could've won," Rummel said. "This season we're looking to take things one game at a time and commit to capitalizing on every opportunity we have.

"I know we have the ability to keep winning those big games," Rummel added. 'It's just a matter of making it happen."

The Lakers have some goal scorers back in senior Regan Dahl, junior Calyn Schanzenbach and sophomore Kate Trachsel, who had six, five and five goals, respectively last season. Junior Emma Antonoplos led the team in assists with six.

Senior Megan Munger will also be one to watch in the midfield for the Lakers, while junior Erica Molina is back up front on offense.

Defensively, junior Bryanne Pinkowski and senior Bella Bates return from last season, while junior Katarina Decaroli looks to be in goal.

The Lakers have just three seniors on the roster, so the team will need its underclassmen to step up if it wants to be a factor in conference and section play.

"We graduated quite a few solid players last season, but we are returning a core group of girls, including most of our forwards, midfielders, and goalkeeper, along with a couple of our starting defenders," Rummel said. "We are already confident in the returners and the new girls' ability to play together and challenge themselves in the new roles we have them in."

Others expected to contribute to the team include: juniors Allison Alessi, Sophie Edwards, Chloe Ginkel, Josie Machalek and Kylie Weigel and sophomores Brynna Ray, Kalle Munger and Ellen Becken.

Prior Lake opens the season Aug. 23 at Hill-Murray at 7 p.m. The team's home opener is Aug. 25 versus Cretin-Derham Hall at 11 a.m.

Prior Lake is home to Edina, a top Section 2AA foe, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m., before opening the SSC season at home to Eastview Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

"I think one of our team's biggest strengths is its ability to play together effectively," Rummel said. "High School soccer can be a challenge at times because the girls do not all play on the same club teams in the offseason.

"However, in the few days of the season thus far, I've already seen a high level of cohesion between our players and I'm excited to use that as the foundation of our success this season," Rummel added.

Last year, Prior Lake lost 2-1 at third-seeded Chanhassen in the Section 2AA quarterfinals. The Lakers were in the section title game in both 2013 and 2014, falling to Eden Prairie in both of those games by 1-0 margins.

The Lakers had a record of 41-11-4 between 2012 and 2014 and was 6-4-6 in 2015. So Rummel is trying to get Prior Lake back to that top-echelon status.

Last year, there were some signs of the potential of the program, including a 2-1 overtime win in league play over Eagan, winners of three of the last four Class AA state titles. Prior Lake also earned a 3-3 tie with Minnetonka, a perennial power.

Minnetonka, Edina and Eden Prairie have been top Section 2AA contenders the last few years, while Chanhassen has emerged as a strong program. Chaska, Bloomington Jefferson and Shakopee are also in the field.

Prior Lake gets Eden Prairie at home Sept. 8 and will be at Chanhassen on Sept. 22.