BEREA, OHIO --  The Baldwin Wallace University women's soccer team is hoping to take its program to the next level in 2014.  Head Coach Reid Ayers returns 13 letter winners and seven starters from his 2013 squad that finished 14-5-1 overall and tied the school single-season record for victories. That returning experience is an advantage in the rigorous play of the Ohio Athletic Conference.

The Brown & Gold attack will be led by junior forward Cheryl Bell (Piqua) who tallied four goals and two assists in 2013.  In addition to Bell, seniors Nicole Boyd (Warren/ Howland) and Ashley Stevens (Mansfield/Lexington) will be called upon to contribute up top.

The midfield will be controlled by junior Academic All-OAC player Emma Harding (Akron/Revere) and sophomore Bree Gilliam (Baltimore, Md./ Kenwood).  Harding played in 19 matches and recorded one assist. Gilliam played in 17 games and had an assist.  Look for junior Katie Klespies  (Chicago, Ill. /  University of Chicago Laboratory) to compete for the final spot in the midfield after she played in 14 games and recorded one goal in 2013.

The Yellow Jacket defense returns two starters in junior Kadi Tucker (Mason) and sophomore Kelly Gough (Hudson), who both are among the best in the OAC.  Tucker played in all 20 matches for BW, and Gough contributed two goals and three assists in 19 matches. Senior defender Carly Norman (Harrisburg, Pa./ Central Dauphin) also returns from an injury after missing most of 2013 and was limited to six games.

In goal, junior starter Emily Tallmadge (Fairview, Pa./ Fairview) will be one of the best in the OAC for the third straight season. She played in 19 games in 2013 and allowed 1.15 goals-per-game with four shutouts and 72 saves. Ayers also returns senior Gabrielle Bodo (Alliance/ Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas) who will compete with Tallmadge for time.  Bodo has experience playing in 22 matches and recording 70 saves during her career.

The Brown & Gold begin play on August 30 when they travel to Erie, Pennsylvania to play SUNY-Geneseo (N.Y.) at 2:30 p.m. in the first round of the annual Penn State-Behrend University Herb Lauffer Memorial Tournament.  BW's first home match is September 2 versus Ohio Wesleyan University at 7:00 p.m. at The George Finnie Stadium on the Tressel Field pitch.