COVENTRY — The Coventry High School girls soccer team finished with a 7-7-2 record last year and a first-round loss in the playoffs. Assistant Coach Kevin Sisak said the team is using that loss as fuel as the new season gets under way.

“We lost in the first round to Barberton [High School] in a shootout,” he said. “Losing to Barberton left a sour taste in our mouths. It made the girls realize what it takes to win. We are building off that loss to start this season. We told the girls, ‘Sometimes, you have to lose the hardest games to realize what winning truly means to you.’”

Sisak said the team, led by Head Coach Jay Farah, is looking to better its performance from last year.

“We are looking to improve on our record,” he said. “Even though the PTC [Portage Trail Conference] is very competitive, 10 or 11 wins is reachable if we stay injury-free.”

To improve, Sisak said, the team got an early start with preparations.

“It started in the off-season,” he stated. “The girls are a lot more prepared this year in their soccer fitness than ever before. The practices have been pretty intense.”

But to improve its overall performance, Sisak said, the team needs better leadership.

“We need to work on the leadership of the team,” he said. “The captains have stepped up and led the way on the field and off. They are definitely stepping into the role.”

This year’s squad features one senior, 12 juniors, four sophomores and seven freshmen.

“Our juniors carry most of the load,” said Sisak. “We have three junior captains. They all have two years of varsity experience.”

Sisak said the team went with “tri-captains” this year in Paige Carlin, Megan Mills and Emily Quitter.

“They have helped a lot in the off-season with team organization,” he said, “and we look for more leadership from them on and off the field once the season starts.”

The team’s lone senior is Kara Western.

“She is a newcomer to soccer, so we’re not sure where she’ll play — possibly defense,” said Sisak.

Despite the lack of seniors, Sisak noted, the team still features a decent amount of experience.

“Eleven of our juniors have already been on varsity for two years,” he said. “The 12th joined this past summer.”

Sisak said the team also features a few up-and-coming underclassmen that have stood out so far.

“Freshman Hanna Whitsel has shown a lot of promise as far as skill and decision-making. She will get a lot of experience starting this fall,” he said. “Sophomore Lexi Moore has impressed coaches and players this off-season and has earned her spot.”

According to Sisak, the strength of this year’s Coventry girls soccer team lies at the forward position.

“Paige Carlin was the 2008 leader in the league in goals scored with 21,” he said. “Emily Quitter looks to improve on a 10-goal season, as she has become more aggressive in the off-season. Megan Mills, Shelby Mitchner, Kirsten Buckland, Lana Hoffert, Sara Kinsinger and Leah Strickland are a group of juniors that will shape our midfield and defense.”

The team will kick off its 2009 season Aug. 24.

“Our season opener is Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. at Coventry Stadium against Our Lady of the Elms,” said Sisak. “We beat them 2-0 last year.”

Sisak said he is ready to get started.

“We look forward to playing all of our conference games,” he said, “but especially look forward to Norton, Ravenna and Kent Roosevelt [high schools] in the final game of the season.”

And the team is hoping to end the season on a less “sour” note this time, Sisak said.

He noted the team’s goal is to “play our best soccer at the end of the season and make a run deep into the playoffs.”