ELMHURST, Ill. - After posting back-to-back winning seasons, the Elmhurst College women's soccer team is eyeing a return to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament for the first time since the 2003 season.

"We've been one win short of the conference tournament for six straight seasons," said head coach Paul Webster. "Our players have demonstrated a commitment to what we're trying to accomplish and our primary goal of returning to the conference tournament remains the same this season. As much as we wanted to highlight last season's success, we still fell short of our goal and our returning players are not happy about that."

Webster has 17 returning letterwinners from last season who combined to account for 72 percent of the team's total goals scored.

After splitting time in goal for the past three seasons, senior Allison Korbel (Schaumburg/H.S.) is expected to anchor the Bluejays in the net this season. In 2009, Korbel held opponents to only 1.18 goals per game while leading the team in saves (56), wins (six) and shutouts (three).

"Allison is clearly the incumbent in goal for us this season," said Webster. "She's earned her playing time each of the past three seasons and our team feels very comfortable with her in the net."

Freshman Alexandria Farrington (Worth/Shepard) is expected to back-up Korbel in goal in 2010.

In 2009, the Bluejays' defense limited opponents to only 22 goals, the lowest output by Elmhurst opponents since the 2003 season. Webster expects his squad to be solid in the middle with the return of junior Stephanie Thomson (Palatine/H.S.) and sophomore Ali Siebel (Westchester, Ohio/Mason). Thomson earned all-conference and all-region honors in 2009 after missing her entire freshman season with an injury.

"Stephanie and Ali complement each other very well on the field," said Webster. "They both had a huge impact on our defensive success in 2009, and we'll be looking for them to continue their solid play this season."

Webster believes junior transfer Jessica Belmonte (Darien/Hinsdale South) can fill the Bluejays' opening at left back while sophomores Andrea Kmak (Homer Glen/Lockport) and Morgan Geimer (Milwaukee/University School of Milwaukee) will compete for the starting job at right back. Anna Paul (Des Plaines/Maine West) could also contribute at outside back for the Bluejays.

"When it comes to depth in our defense, we're going to be counting on the fact that we have a lot of versatile players. We have a lot of players who are capable of helping us up front and in the back."

The Bluejays may have lost all-conference and all-region pick Courtney Constantino to graduation, but Webster's squad returns all-conference senior Kelsey Caldwell (Plainfield/South) to lead the Bluejays in the midfield. Caldwell finished 2009 as the team's co-leader in total points (15) and goals (six).

"Kelsey has really developed into one of the most talented players on the field," said Webster. "We'll be counting on her once again as our attacking midfielder."

Junior

(Elk Grove/H.S.) could also see significant time for the Bluejays at midfield.

Transfer Beatriz Beckwith (Dunlap/H.S.) and freshman Sami Perry (Naperville/Neuqua Valley) are also expected to contribute to the Bluejays' midfield. Senior Laura Perry (Crawfordsville, Ind./H.S.) returns to the squad after studying abroad in 2009 and could also push for time in the midfield.

Webster is looking for the duo of Valerie Wesley (Chula Vista, Calif./Our Lady of Peace) and Sarah Harvey (Naperville/Waubonsie Valley) to give Elmhurst some scoring punch at forward. Wesley co-led the 2009 squad in both goals scored (six) and total points (16) while being slowed by injuries. Harvey finished fourth on the team in total points with nine by tallying three goals and three assists.

"Valerie has had two very strong seasons for us," said Webster. "She was impressive last year despite being injured most of the season. Sarah is really playing her most consistent soccer right now, and she scored some big goals for us last year."

Webster expects senior Lindsay Carlson and junior Julia Nelson (Itasca/Lake Park) to battle for the final starting spot at forward. Sophomore Amy Baschen (Downers Grove/Downers Grove South), senior Anna Paul (Des Plaines/ Maine West) and newcomers Shelley Shapasian (Aurora, Ohio/H.S.) and Leah Bauch (Rochester, Minn./Mayo) should also see plenty of time up front and in the back.

"An advantage for us is that our forwards are comfortable playing all three positions up front," Webster said. "That flexibility up front can work to our advantage because we become very difficult to defend."

Webster believes that versatility will be a key to the Bluejays' success in 2010. "With only 22 players on our roster, we need players who can help out at multiple positions,” he said. “Fortunately, we have several players who are comfortable playing out wide either up front or in the back. In order for us to succeed, we'll need contributions from the entire team."

Elmhurst's path to the CCIW Tournament will not be easy as the Bluejays' schedule features several tough non-conference opponents in addition to the high caliber teams throughout the CCIW.

"We will be put to the test right away, with some challenging opponents early in the season" said Webster.

If the Bluejays can get off to a fast start, Webster believes his team is capable of having a big season.

"Last year we focused on working better, not just harder, and I think it showed in not only the results but more importantly how we played," he said. "We competed better for 90 minutes or more which put us in a position to be in every game at the end. This year, I think confidence will be a key for us. Scoring early, or at least not getting behind early, and not having to chase the game for long stretches will give us a huge lift."

The Bluejays open the 2010 season by hosting Dominican University on September 1.