The SF State women’s soccer team runs through drills in the late August heat early on a Saturday morning at the Swamp. The women rotate between stations, working on physical skills such as heading, passing and shooting as well as their mental discipline and team communication as Coach Jack Hyde barks out instructions from the middle of the field.The women are working hard to build on last year's unprecedented success.

Last year Hyde guided the Gators to a 12-5-4 record and their first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship. Both Hyde, now entering his sixth season as the women's coach, and his team have their sights set on a return to championship competition this year.

“Last year we finished first in the CCAA North and made it to the NCAA Championships, where we lost in the first round. This year we’re looking to build on that. We want to get back to the NCAA Championships and advance even farther this season,” said Hyde.

Hyde believes that the keys to continued success in CCAA play and a return trip to the NCAA Championships are improved defense, better communication and a greater sense of team unity than in years past.

“This team’s greatest asset is team unity,” said Hyde after a dominating 2-0 win against Cal State Hayward in the team’s first preseason scrimmage. “It’s not about me, it’s about we. This team is really buying into that. They’re looking good.”

Hyde expects great things from returning team leaders Brook Braunschweig and Erin Clark, as well as junior transfer Jessica Pearson.

Braunschweig is coming off a fantastic 2002 season, playing in all 21 of the Gators’ games. On her way to earning All-CCAA honors, she tallied 2 goals, including one game-winning goal,

“This is a great team,” said Braunschweig. “We have great players, a great coach, and a great bunch of girls. Playing in the NCAA Championships last year was an awesome experience. Everybody’s goal is to get back to the Championships and go farther (than last year). I’m just trying to lead by example, to work as hard as I can every time out here. Hopefully my teammates will see that and work just as hard as I do.”

Second-year goalkeeper Erin Clark worked extremely hard this off-season to improve her quickness, foot skills, decision making and overall fitness--all of which should translate into an improved defense on the field and fewer goals allowed, Clark said.

Clark is also embracing her role as a team leader, making a point of impressing upon her new teammates the total commitment and high level of play she, Coach Hyde and the rest of the Gators team expect every day.

“As a returner I have to set an example for the new players,” said Clark. “We have a lot of freshmen and transfers. We have to show the new girls how we play soccer here at SF State. We’re a top team. We have to show them what an NCAA Division II playoff team is all about.”

Junior transfer Jessica Pearson, one of the many newcomers to the Gators this season, is excited not only about playing for a top flight program, but simply to be playing soccer again at all.

Pearson, who transferred from Orange Coast College after sitting out last season, made up her mind to make the move to SF State before making her decision to return to soccer. She originally planned her move north around attending SF State, earning her degree in design, and having a chance to live in San Francisco. But after meeting Coach Hyde and the team, learning of last year’s success, and getting a chance to get out on the field and play, she quickly made up her mind to return to the game she loves.

“Being out on the field again, I just knew (that I wanted to play again),” said Pearson. “I found out about last year’s NCAA tournament team after arriving and that just added even more motivation to play. Things have been really good. Hopefully they’ll only get better. I’m excited!”

The Gators kick off their season on Saturday Aug. 30 in Chico with a match against Central Washington, and play their home opener on Sept. 7 at Cox Stadium when they play host to Grand Valley State.