WICHITA, Kan. — A big leap forward last year has brought renewed expectations to the Newman women's soccer team.

Finishing 2016 with a winning record (7-6-5 overall and 6-5-3 in Heartland Conference play) for the first time since 2010 and winding up just one point out of a spot in the conference postseason, the Jets proved they could compete in the upper tiers of the league.

With a solid core returning and promising newcomers entering the fold, second-year coach Aaron Avila has his team poised to take the next step in 2017.

"The main goal is to improve on what we did last year," Avila said. "We defended well, but one of our struggles was scoring goals, and that led to us having five 0-0 draws. The newcomers we have and the returners improving through the spring hopefully has helped us turn that tide and turn those ties into wins.

"Top four [in the Heartland] is the main goal. Finish in the top four, make the conference tournament and see what you can do once you're there. We were close last year, but we weren't quite there. With this year's team, hopefully we make that leap."

Newman gets no breaks to start the year, heading to Shawnee, Oklahoma Thursday for a 5:30 matchup with Oklahoma Baptist, a team that went 15-6-1 last season in its final year as a probationary member of NCAA Division II.

The Jets follow that up with their Wilkins Field debut at 7 p.m. Tuesday against East Central, and head straight into Heartland play next weekend at Rogers State.

Season Breakdown (2016 Statistics in Parentheses)

Goalkeepers

Returners: Ashely Sweetnam, So. (18-12 GP-GS, 969 min., 40 saves)

Newcomers: None

Coach Speak: "We have our main goalkeeper from last year returning, and we had to bring a field player into the fold, so she's sharing some roles while training for that backup position. So our depth isn't quite there, at least at the beginning of the season, but our main keeper is back and she gives us a great start."

Defenders

Returners: Kylie Logan, Jr. (5 GP, 102 min); Tara Minx, Sr. (17 GP, 1125 min.); Briana Marin, Jr. (11 GP, 457 min., 1 shot); Rachel VanBuskirk, Sr. (14 GP, 519 min., 7 shots); Quincy Plank, Jr. (17 GP, 1596 min., 1 A, second-team all-Heartland) 

Newcomers: Amy Strath Sr.; Jadyn Eddy Fr.

Coach Speak: "We lost a couple players in the back but the majority are back. We have some younger players that will be good with some time to develop, and we also have a transfer that will play a big role. Overall our back line will be stronger than last year. They have to get the new system down, but by the end of Thursday's opener, we'll know a lot more."

Midfielders

Returners: Caitlin Davis, So. (18 GP, 1043 min., 14 shots, 8 SoG); Vanessa Ortiz, So. (18 GP, 952 min., 11 shots, 7 SoG); Sheree Molina, Sr. (16 GP, 413 min., 13 shots, 4 SoG); Emma Stewart, Jr. (18 GP, 1437 min., 8 shots, 1 SoG); Maria Rodriguez, Sr. (18 GP, 1317 min., 8 shots, 2 SoG)

Newcomers: Dayna Johnson, Jr; Kyra Butler Fr; Lexi Clark, Jr.; Kaitlyn Logan, Fr.; Makena Schroeder, Fr.; Emma Barnett, Fr.

Coach Speak: "We're switching up our system a bit to have fewer center midfielders out there at the same time, but the ones we have coming back did well for us last year. The group that came in is some experienced transfers and talented freshmen. We should have a lot of depth in the midfield that will allow us to vary our looks."

Forwards

Returners: Rosa Urista-Chico, Sr. (16 GP, 1200 min., 2 G, 4 A, 66 shots, third-team all-Heartland); Erin Mink, So. (18 GP, 799 min., 6 G, 37 shots); Katie Crouse, So. (9 GP, 293 min., 3 shots, 2 SoG); Karen Tamayo, Jr. (Redshirted) 

Newcomers: Colleen Howland, Jr.; Grace Linton, Jr.

Coach Speak: "We're returning three up top with experience. We lacked on the finishing side last year, but they've improved in the spring. The three strikers we brought in have proven they can be goal scorers, and we think the combination of those two groups will give us more of a scoring punch this year."