The Big Lake girls soccer team is looking for some of its younger players to step up and make a statement this season.

The Hornets lost a lot of seniors from last year’s team, including their star goalkeeper Kadyn Dilger. They’ll be relying on 10th-grader Lilliana Reinoso to step in and fill that spot, along with her back-up Paisleigh White.

First-year head coach Alissa Busch, who was JV head coach last season,  says the team is relatively young. It has just three seniors and six juniors and not a lot of varsity playing time. Some of this year’s JV team will be getting some playing time in varsity competition.

“There’s a lot of new girls, so there’s a lot of opportunity to grow,” she says. “But we’re excited for the team. We have a very good atmosphere here.”

Assistant coaches Trinity Zoccoli and Suzanne Graham will help get the team on the right track as they continue to learn positions and strategies.

This year’s captains are senior Melanie Cano and juniors Adeline Hitter and Paige Erickson.

“They’ve taken on a lot of leadership responsibilities,” says Coach Busch.

So far, it’s been a good start. The Hornets won their first game, 2-1 against Sauk Rapids, then tied Hutchinson, 3-3. They played Albany Friday and are scheduled to visit Zimmerman Tuesday and host Cambridge-Isanti Thursday at 7 p.m.