ROCHELLE — Head coach Brad Male felt that the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity soccer team turned a corner near the end of the shortened summer season this past year. Male will look for the Lady Hubs to continue building on their late-season success as the 2022 opener approaches.

Rochelle finished 2-11-1 overall and 1-7 in the Interstate 8 Conference last season, scoring victories over Plano and Oregon while drawing Stillman Valley. The Lady Hubs will kick off the 2022 season with a nonconference road match against Harlem on Thursday at 6 p.m.

“We have several returning players who were starters last season and it’s nice to have those girls back,” Male said. “We have some young players who are really talented and I’m really looking forward to the start of this season. I thought we started coming together toward the end of last season and our passing really improved. We want to keep that going this year.”

Rochelle will field plenty of experience on the back line. The Lady Hubs will return seniors Michelle Ocampo, Lucy Monroy and captain Lizbeth Milan, who earned Interstate 8 First Team honors this past season. Sophomore Dani Ward also returns for her second year as goalkeeper. Rochelle will have several players returning in the midfield including juniors Jasmin Hernandez, Kailey Harris and senior captain Madison Ost. Sophomore Kara Martinez returns at forward.

“I’m looking for Lizbeth to be a leader for us this year,” Male said. “I want our seniors to step up and become leaders for our younger girls. Madison has filled the captain’s role very nicely and she’s been really helpful in keeping the team together. Kara played an integral role for us at the forward position and I’m looking forward to seeing big things from her this season.”