Gabby Lecuona

The mission was to reach the District 3 playoffs for the first time in many years, but with four games left in the 2017 regular season, the Chambersburg girls soccer team sat at 4-10 and prospects looked dim.

Then a four-game winning streak gave the Trojans just enough power points to sneak into the playoffs.

With lots of experience and talent returning in 2018, Chambersburg hopes to better its record, get to the playoffs again and perhaps make some noise in the postseason.

“This year, there are no excuses — we could be something special,” Trojan coach Ed Franchi said. “The girls seem more confident after getting to districts last year, because that told them they could win, even with our difficult schedule.”

Chambersburg opens the season Saturday by hosting its tournament at Trojan Stadium. The Trojans will face Susquehanna Twp. at 11 a.m., followed by Camp Hill vs. Gettysburg. The championship is slated for 6 p.m.

Franchi’s challenge is to find the best positions for his players, including nine who started last year. As of last week, only three seniors were sure of where they were playing — Lauren Ocker and Emily Mort as center backs and Gabby Lecuona at striker.

Lecuona is a proven goal scorer, hitting the net 11 times last year, along with four assists. Ocker (2 goals, 1 assist) and Mort will likely play beside returning senior Alex Cottingham to form an experienced defense.

Returning juniors Ashley Bawell (1 assist) and Layne Kimple (4 goals, 2 assists) could play defense or move up to midfield. That could give time on D to Savannah Wertz (jr.) or Payton Guyer (sr.).

Along with Kimple and Bawell, others who will see time in the midfield are returners Olivia Hartz (sr., 1 assist) and Hana Bellows (sr., 2 assists), and sophomores Gianna Weigel and Hannah Foschia.

Franchi said, “We have a lot of girls who have worked hard on their skills, which gives us more options about where to play them. Plus, we have a talented group of freshmen who will help us.”

Joining Lecuona up top will likely be freshman Brooke Huntsman, with junior Eliza Bellows and freshmen Bianca Sommers and Lindsey Swanger vying for playing time.

The returning goalkeeper is Caitlin Masaberg (sr.), but she is being pushed by sophomore Faith Johnson.

Franchi, who is in his third year, said, “It’s been a process to get where we are. I think our biggest challenges are staying injury-free, staying positive and continuing to build on what we learn.”

NOTES: Lecuona has signed with Div. I Robert Morris for next year, and Ocker will be at Shippensburg U. … James Buchanan and Greencastle-Antrim have remained on the schedule, but non-league games against Altoona and Northern York have been added … The Trojans scored only 11 goals in 12 Commonwealth games last year.