Oklahoma City University women's soccer enters 2012 as the No. 10 ranked team in the NAIA and as the favorite to win the Sooner Athletic Conference.
The Stars finished 2011 with an overall record of 17-3-2. OCU captured its 11th Sooner Athletic Conference title and downed Trinity Christian (Ill.) 3-2 in penalty kicks in the NAIA Championship Opening Round before falling 2-1 to Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) in the NAIA Championships.
"We have been unfortunate the last two seasons when we've made it to the round of 16 and drawn the No. 1 seed," OCU coach Brian Harvey said. "Our goal this season is to return to nationals and at least make in past the round of 16."
Harvey enters his 39th year as a head coach. He has lead OCU to 11 SAC titles in his 19 seasons at the helm for the Stars and is the NAIA's winningest active women's soccer coach with a record of 291-81-20.
OCU returns all but three players from last year's squad including leading scorer Meghan McMahon.
"McMahon is a big returner for us," Harvey said. "We obviously look to her at forward. She's had two 15 goals season in her career so far, so we look for her to bring her power and scoring ability."
The junior from Oklahoma City earned all-American recognition as well as first-team all-SAC honors in 2011. McMahon started all 22 matches and netted 19 goals while passing out nine assists.
Joining McMahon is two time SAC defensive player of the year Brenna Skillern. The senior from Yukon, Okla., also snagged first-team all-SAC honors in 2011. Skillern scored four goals and dished out three assists in her junior campaign.
"Brenna Skillern really anchors the defense for us," Harvey said. "I think she is the glue to this team."
A position-by-position look at OCU:

Goalkeeper

Juniors Ashley Bechtold and Alissa Reed split time in goal in 2011 and will be fighting for the starting position in 2012.
"We have Reed and Bechtold battling each other for the starting job," Harvey said. "They are both very capable goalkeepers."
Bechtold appeared in 18 matches in 2011, made 36 saves and allowed five goals with a .878 save percentage.
Reed made 19 appearances last season and made 23 saves while allowing 11 goals en route to earning second-team all-SAC honors.

Defense

Joining Skillern on defense is senior Rachael O'Brien. O'Brien, of Plano, Texas, started all 22 matches a season ago and passed out three assists.
Fellow senior Niku Bayatfar will look for playing time in the defensive backfield. Bayatfar, of Ada, Okla., appeared in 20 matches for the Star in 2011.
"Niku Bayatfar and Rachel O'Brien will both be seniors this season," Harvey said. "We will be expecting a lot out of them."
Sophomores Allie Glazner, of Edmond, Okla., and Ashleigh Story, of Edmond, Okla., return from last year's squad. Both started all 22 matches in 2011. Glazner scored four goals and passed out eight assists in her freshman campaign.
"Glazner and Story were major players for us last year," Harvey said. "We expect them to contribute even more this year."
Newcomer Angela Clifton joins the Stars' defense in 2012. The freshman from Bethany, Okla., will battle for playing time and add depth in the backfield.
"Clifton is a tremendous athlete," Harvey said. "She played in the Class-4A state championship game last year and we feel like she can come in and contribute immediately on defense."

Midfield

Juniors Margaret Lee and Gianna Puskarich head up the OCU midfield. Lee, of Tulsa, Okla., scored one goal in 22 appearances for the Stars in 2011.
"Lee has got good pace," Harvey said. "She can make things happen and we'll be expecting her to do that this year."
Puskarich, of Fairview, Texas, started 16 matches a season ago and passed out one assist.
"Gianna is very good defensively in the midfield," Harvey said. "We'll be looking for her to continue to contribute as a junior."
Sandra Hallin will make her OCU debut in 2012. Hallin, of Orebro, Sweden, sat out last season but will challenge for playing time in the midfield.
"Sandra can play," Harvey said. "She's had a year to adjust and knows what to expect, and we expect good things from her."
Hollis St. John returns for her senior season. The midfielder from Friendswood, Texas, scored two goals for the Stars in 2011.
"Hollis is a right sided midfielder and will be a senior also," Harvey said. "We've got good depth and good experience in the midfield."
Courtney Worsham rejoins the Stars in 2012. Worsham, of Deer Creek, Okla., scored one goal in eight appearances as a freshman in 2010.
Freshman Brishti Bagchi, of Bangalore, India, will add depth to the midfield.

Forward

Joining McMahon at forward is Sheridan Horner. The senior from Choctaw, Okla., found the back of the net eight times a season ago and passed out seven assists.
"Sheridan Horner is a key returner for us," Harvey said. "She has been very productive during her career."
Ariel Bayatfar, of Ada, Okla., scored three goals in 22 matches for the Stars in 2011 and returns for her junior season.
"We are looking for more goal scorers," Harvey said, "We've got Ariel Bayatfar, who I think could have a really breakthrough year."
Newcomer Allison Worsham joins the Stars in 2012. The freshman from Deer Creek, Okla., will look to challenge for playing time.
"Allison is a bona fide goal scorer," Harvey said. "We feel like she'll be a major impact and she'll come in and contribute immediately."

Harvey likes his team's chances to match the success of the 2011 squad and make a third straight trip to the NAIA Championships.
"It's a team that if we can all stay fit and healthy I think can return to the national tournament," Harvey said. "I think people have already been double teaming McMahon, so it is important for other players to step up and take on those goal-scoring responsibilities. We will look to several players to step forward and take more responsibility in the penalty area."
OCU will open its 2012 season at home in a battle of top-10 teams as they face off against No. 6 Baker (Kan.) at 5 p.m. Saturday at Stars Field.