(PHOTO CREDIT: Doug Ritchay - Fox 11)
GREEN BAY -- Last year, the Green Bay Southwest girls soccer team surprised many when it reached the Division 2 state title game after recording just 10 regular season wins.
The Trojans flew under the radar until the final game, but after the 2015 success don't expect Southwest to be overlooked by anybody.
The season is young but Southwest knows in order to challenge again in the postseason it will have to deal with being a hunted team.
"We have to be ready for everyone's best shot," coach Tyler Thomas said. "I think the girls recognize that after the first two games. Our girls know that we have a target on our back."
After battling to a 1-1 tie with Kaukauna on a snowy field, Southwest (1-0-1) handled Green Bay East on Thursday, 9-0. That game featured four goals from Alexis Cumber.
While Southwest won't score nine goals every game, Thomas was pleased how his team played Thursday. His goal, right now, isn't to reach the state tournament, it's a simpler goal.
"It's rather how can we get better each game, each day at practice and improve as a team and improve as individuals to raise the level of play on the field," Thomas said. "So, yes, we have high expectations."
Southwest appears primed for a better regular season than 2015.
"This year we're at a huge advantage having our entire starting lineup back," Thomas said. "We're ready to pick up right where we left off last year and just continue to go."
A key in the returning starters is goalkeeper Toni Champion. Her reliability in goal might allow the Trojans to open up their offense.
"Toni's a huge piece to what we're doing," Thomas said. "One of the reasons we feel why we can go more offensive this year is we have our entire back line back that has a ton of experience and then we have Toni.
"She can stop anything from the outside. Anything in close she gobbles up as well."
Southwest figures to be in the mix for the Fox River Classic Conference title after finishing in the middle of the pack last season. Thomas sees the race as one with many contenders.
"The conference is so balanced right now I couldn't tell you who's the favorite," Thomas said. "Notre Dame has a ton of players coming back from last year. If you do down the line, Bay Port has a lot of girls who are ready to step up, Green Bay Preble has a lot of young girls that re ready to step up.
"We did a lot of training with De Pere this offseason, the same thing. I think maybe we're one of the more senior-laden teams. Pulaski has a lot of young girls coming back. I think it's going to be a conference this year where a team with two losses is going to win the conference."
Follow Doug Ritchay on Twitter @dougritchay
CREDIT: Fox 11 - http://fox11online.com/sports/high-school-gametime/after-last-years-success-southwest-has-target-on-its-back