It’s safe to say Matt Anderson wasn’t blown away with his introduction to the Lawrence High girls soccer program last spring.

Fielding an inexperienced, junior-laden lineup, the Lions struggled, and there wasn’t much their new assistant coach could do about it.

Now, Anderson is in charge, and all those young players who couldn’t find their way a year ago are now seasoned veterans who have their new boss optimistic as the 2006 season beckons.

“It’s night and day compared to last year,” Anderson said. “This year, it’s just been my goal to bury that and turn the program up, a completely positive nature … and get some Ws along the way.”

Nine returning starters should help that task, led by senior forward Megan Johnson, senior defenders Lindsey Lawrence and Maggie Barnes and junior midfielder Abby Vestal.

Anderson is confident he’s assembled a group capable of making headway in the always-tough Sunflower League. But first comes the non-league portion of the schedule, starting with today’s season opener at Topeka Seaman.

Free State senior Sierra Best, left, Lawrence High senior Megan Johnson, center, and Seabury Academy senior Lindsey Ahlen hope to lead their teams to successful soccer seasons this spring.

“We’re a lot tougher, a lot faster,” Anderson said. “I hope we’re going to sneak up on a lot of teams that are used to beating us.”

The outlook is a little less rosy across town, where graduation losses and the decision by some players to give up the sport have left veteran Free State coach Jason Pendleton with a young roster short on depth.

The Firebirds will likely go only 12-deep this spring and feature just two seniors in midfielder Emily Erb, a four-year starter, and midfielder Sierra Best.

“I think the strength of our team is going to be our willingness to work hard and seek ways to progress throughout the year,” said Pendleton, who has a little less than two more weeks to whip his charges into shape before their March 28 home opener against Shawnee Heights.

In addition to his two senior leaders, Pendleton will count on the versatility provided by junior Lucca Wang and sophomore Leah Williams, as well as the steady backline play of junior Clare Robinson.

“Those three in particular are going to have to step up and make things happen in key situations,” Pendleton said.

Seabury Academy will face its usual assortment of handicaps as the Seahawks prepare for their second season under the tutelage of coach Gunar Harmon.

As the lone Class 1A school fielding a soccer team in northeast Kansas, and with no league affiliation, Seabury has had trouble filling dates on its schedule.

And once they get on the field, the Seahawks must cope with a dwindling roster that currently stands at just 13 players.

However, the good news is the return of seven seniors, including goalkeeper Lindsey Ahlen and a trio of do-everything performers in Katie Pottorff, Reagan Sisson and Laura Hoffmann.

“The challenge is going to be, again, just to get the girls experience,” said Harmon, whose squad will get its first opportunity to do that in an April 6 home opener against Kansas City (Mo.) Lutheran. “We’re just trying to get the feel of the game.”