The WolfPack women’s soccer team is starting the season with a clean slate and a new head coach. Matt Schwartz begins his first year as head coach after being the assistant coach for the men’s team for three years.

“There is a lot of opportunity here,” Schwartz said. “I really enjoy working here and the people I work with. I enjoy giving an opportunity to players who continue to play competitively, and prepare them as students athletes and life.”

What drew Schwartz to the position was that he knew a lot of the returning players and that the program is only two years old.

“I looked at it as a challenge to build it into something that can be a power in terms athletics, but also leave something behind for whoever will be after me, where they don’t have to pick up the pieces … something sustainable,” he said.

“Last year was a winning season, which was good for them, and this season we can build on that,” Schwartz said.

The WolfPack ended last season with an 8-7-1 record and have many players returning from that team.

Schwartz also wants to increase the visibility of the program on campus and in the community.

“The girls on the team know a lot of people who go here (Madison College),” said Schwartz. He said the players have been “working in the community, volunteering, coaching youth players and putting on clinics.”

Schwartz said he sees a lot of potential for the small, talented roster. It is important to Schwartz how well the team comes together, saying that the team is very supportive of each other.

“Our goal this year is to win the conference, and I feel like that is attainable,” Schwartz said. “My advice is to the team, the way we go about doing this is that we need to play disciplined and smart.”

The next home game is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27, at 2:30 p.m. This year’s home games will be held at Warner Park next to the Mallards Stadium because of the construction of the Goodman Sports Complex. The new soccer fields will be available for use in the 2017 season.

“As a team, we are very talented,” Schwartz said. “We have the opportunity to do something very special.”