The last two seasons, the Pella Christian girls soccer teams has been forced to press young and inexperienced players into action due to a lack of numbers. That playing time has led to a nucleus of returning players and a brighter future for the Eagles.

Coach Mike Buchheit bring back nine returners, all who have started varsity games, including his four Eagle Leaders.

“We’ve got our senior, Cailey Terpstra, and then three juniors. We’ve got Bekah Hortsman, our goalkeeper, Makenna Van Dyke, who played defender and some midfielder for us last year, and then Laura DeZwarte who played outside mid for us and some striker up top.”

The Eagles went 6-10 last season and 0-6 in the Little Hawkeye Conference. They started preparations for the 2017 season with their first practice on Monday.