One-game-at-a-time will be the strategy for the SF State women’s soccer team as it dives into a brand new season.

The lady Gators finished last year with a 6-12 overall record. Head coach Jack Hyde remains optimistic for his team to better their standing this year.

“We take each game at a time and we want to improve,” Hyde said. “We’ve got a very good group of players and they need to mold together and play together, so that’s what we’re working on now.”

One of the team’s goals this season is to beat last year’s record and improve after each game. Hyde said the key to maintaining his one-game-at-a-time mantra is to take each situation as it comes and not make any predictions.

Hyde is pleased with the new recruits he received this season and has high expectations for both his new and returning players.

“A lot of the new players are a good group. We’ve recruited well and we’re very happy with the players that arrived,” he said.

An important part of building a successful team is blending the new talent with the veterans.

“We’ve got a good core group,” Hyde said. “We’ve got three good captains on the team that are good strong leaders.”

The combination of good leadership, skilled transfers and new players gives the Gators confidence and excitement for the games to come.

“We have many returners who will be stepping up this year and I’m looking forward to seeing them excel out on the field,” senior Natalie Macias said. “We have an excellent recruiting class this year, the transfers are very strong and skilled and our freshman class this year is one of the best I believe we have had at State.”

Macias feels the simple goal of taking each game at a time will help them prepare for games in the long run.

“Of course we want to win and this is always on our team’s mind and we believe it will happen,” Macias said. “We obviously want to improve from last season and use last season as a stepping stone to do well this season.”

Senior midfielder Luisa Meza is excited about the upcoming season and feels that anything is possible in Division II.

“Each game is a chance to show what we work on during pre-season and during practice,” Meza said. “Each game is so different and we need to take it at that.”

She said the combination of great skills and great attitudes that the team encompasses will help them do well this season.

“Every game is decided by the team who goes out and shows their best,” Meza said. “We hope to do well and be on top of our division, but the only way that can happen is to take each game and do our best and come out with a win.”

The team lost their season opener, 2-1, to the visiting Notre Dame de Namur University Argonauts last Thursday at Cox Stadium.

The Gators' next home game is Wednesday, Sept. 13 against Cal State Monterey Bay.