WOLFVILLE, N.S. - Coming off of a successful 2016 soccer campaign, both the Axemen and Axewomen soccer teams hope to maintain the level of performance as high as last year.

With the loss of several key veterans, both coaches hope to use the leadership experiences from last season to build on this season.

The Axewomen completed the 2016 season as AUS finalists and fifth overall at the U SPORTS National Championship as host and consolation champions.

"We have tons of experience and leadership. We have an ability to cope with challenges and adversity. We have some familiarity and ability to adjust to different situations presented in the game," pointed out head coach Amit Batra who heads into his eighth year leading the Axewomen.

Key returning players this season include fifth year seniors Candace Conrad, Meghan Earle, Emily Nickerson and Katie Ross. Conrad and Nickerson were AUS All-Stars last year, while Earle was the AUS Most Valuable Player in 2015.

Katie Ross, a dual-sport athletes playing soccer and basketball, returns for her fifth and final season as a solid mid-fielder. Conrad and Nickerson, who has been honoured as an All-Canadian for three of her four last seasons, will be important leaders in defensive unit this season.

Batra hopes to carry over some attributes from last year's team to this season. "We have a strong level of self-belief and a "never say-die" attitude which was on display during playoffs," said Batra.

As for the new faces on the pitch this season, Batra is happy on a few levels. "Not a surprise but a nice addition to have a veteran college goalkeeper in Nicole McInnis come in and give us some tough decisions to make."

"The first year players were able to keep up and it was nice to see the development of last year's rookie class who have really stepped it up", said Batra.

When asked what his team needs to improve on this coming season, Batra was frank about the need of good ball movement.

"Our movement off the ball is good, but if we really start play off of each other, we will be hard to stop. This also will take the most time to implement," concluded Batra.

The Axewomen had three scheduled exhibition games in the Ottawa/Kingston area that included wins over UQTR Patriots and Algonquin College and a draw against Queen's Gaels.

The Axewomen open the regular season at home this Friday, Sept. 8 at 5pm against UNB.