The Las Positas women's soccer team, which has made the playoffs four straight times under head coach Andy Cumbo, has a lot of fresh faces and big aspirations this season.

Las Positas has 22 players, among them 12 newcomers and 10 returners.

The Hawks will be tested during a demanding schedule that kicks off at home against last year's CCCAA state runner-up Chaffey College (Rancho Cucamonga), ranked No. 3 in the nation currently, on Friday, Aug. 25. The big match will start at 12:30 p.m.

"I think the last three years they've made it to the Final Four, so they're one of the best teams around," Cumbo said of Chaffey. "We're fortunate to host them this week. … We'll know early on what we have to do to prepare for conference play."

He says his players prefer to face tougher competition over a bunch of softies.

"In the end these players just want to compete, they want to play the best players," Cumbo said.

The Hawks captains are Danielle Castro (Granada), Judith Orozco (San Leandro HS) and Kim Granados (San Leandro HS).

"Those three should all be solid contributors on the field and then also in terms of their leadership and support for the team," Cumbo said.

Castro and Granados will bring plenty of scoring punch up top, along with Nadia Barron Santiago, a freshman from American Indian High. Key players in the midfield are returners Irie O'Donnell (Dougherty Valley) and McKenna Masinter (Dublin), along with newcomer Kaitlyn Lemus (Foothill).

Looking solid on the back line are Grace Toney (Dublin), Kailey Matta (Dublin), Kendall Cornwell (Cal HS), Britney Lois Truscott (Redwood) and returner Lisette Contreras (Cal HS). "Those five players should help us defensively on a regular basis," Cumbo said.

Freshman Mia Lemus (San Leandro) is the new goalkeeper.

Cumbo expects the team to be a bit more technical this season, but traditionally the Hawks are defensively disciplined, hardworking and very organized, just like the Hawks men's team.

The Hawks are facing some state powers and conference champions early this season, so they are going for the gusto.

"Our women's team also has the same goals (as the men's team) of making the postseason and competing for a conference championship," Cumbo said. "This is probably one of strongest strength of schedules that we've had here and probably one the toughest schedules that anybody has, so we really don't have any room to breathe in nonconference or conference play."

The Hawks will play their first seven games at home, which should help them feel comfortable during the tough going.