BATESVILLE, Ark. - The Lyon College women's soccer team has been working hard this weekend as the Scots prepare for a challenging 2012 season.

The squad of 21 players is made up of 15 freshmen, a pair of sophomores, one junior and three seniors as they look to improve on last year's 10-9 finish.

Lyon College will be making its debut in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) this season, joining nine other colleges and universities in Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois. Other members of the conference include Benedictine University (Springfield, Ill.), Columbia College (Columbia, Mo.), Hannibal-LaGrange University (Hannibal, Mo.), Harris-Stowe State University (St. Louis, Mo.), Missouri Baptist University (St. Louis, Mo.), Park University (Parkville, Mo.), Stephens College (women's sports only - Columbia, Mo.), William Woods University (Fulton, Mo.) and Williams Baptist College (Walnut Grove, Ark.)

Park (11-8) and Hannibal-LaGrange (12-9) tied for the AMC title a year ago as both teams posted identical 8-2 regular season marks. William Woods (8-9-2) was a close third with a 6-3-1 league mark, while Missouri Baptist (7-12-1) was 5-4-1, Harris-Stowe (2-15-2) posted a 1-8-1 conference record and Benedictine (1-17-1) was 0-9-1.

The Scots are coached by second-year boss Ben Parman.

Lyon College will open preseason scrimmage action at home on Monday when the Scots host University of Arkansas-Little Rock at 3 p.m. at Huser Field. The Scots will then will host the Arkansas Rush 18-U club team Friday at 3 p.m.