The roster is stacked, the schedule is set, and the Cyclone women's soccer team is ready to compete in a full season.

There's nothing better than going into a competitive year knowing it will be close to normal. The Cyclones most recently played an uncommon six-game season this past spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. First-year Head Coach Gerry Norris had to lead an unfamiliar roster playing at an unusual time of year for women's soccer. This year is a different story.

Norris recruited his crew, some of whom have played for him on club teams. They have the strength and skills to do some good.

"We're ahead of last year, and I know what we have. We're a better team and already playing good football. They're a good group, and I think they want to work hard," Norris said. "I'll think we'll be able to compete."

The Cyclones have just four returners, including goalkeeper Raneen Betouni (Oak Forest), midfielders Sarah Hughes (Evergreen Park) and Sabrina Perez (Argo) as well as defender Alyssa Froylan (Reavis), who should play a bigger role on the field.

Among the newcomers, Norris is looking for contributions from Adriana Moreno (J. Sterling Morton), a striker who will be depended on to score, Aoife Finn (Stagg), a talented defender, and Natalie Orozco (Argo), who was hurt last year but is back and should be a big help in the midfield.

"I want us to get into the regional playoffs. Waubonsee is usually the team to beat. I want to see a press high on the field. The higher we can get on the field, then we'll have better chances to score. We'll play a high tempo game," Norris said. "If we progress this year, then we'll stay a unit to next year since we have mostly freshmen."

The Cyclones have some preseason scrimmages but officially open the season on Wed., Sept. 1, with a home game against rival College of Lake County.