The Lyon College Scots women's soccer team notched their fourth consecutive winning season in 2009 and won 10 games for the third time in the last four years en route to a spectacular 10-2-2 campaign. The Scots set a school record for winning percentage and were also TranSouth Conference semifinalists for the third straight time, losing to eventual conference champions Martin Methodist.

In 2010, Lyon has plenty of returning ammo to load up their offensive firepower and have added key pieces to upgrade their already impressive offense.

"We can score," said Lyon College second-year head coach Tyson John, "that's for sure. This season we're going to be even stronger in our philosophy to maintain possession of the ball with strong returners who already implement this philosophy and all of our newcomers who subscribe to it, as well."

The potent Lyon offense revolves around the triple threat of all-conference scorers Katie Marshall, Anja Klotzle and Katy Smith. All three have the ability to find the open player in space and all three have the ability to finish on their own.

"Those three are scary good," said John. "All three can take you 1 v. 1, all three can finish and all three can pass. They can just beat you in so many different ways. We're lucky to have all of them at the same time."

Klotzle, a two-time all-conference player, led the Scots in goals (16) in 2009 and with a 40-point season, became just the second player in Lyon history to accomplish that feat. The Altadena, Calif., powerhouse enters 2010 second on the College's career goal list (29), second on the all-time assists ledger (19) and second on the career points list (77).

Smith, a multi-talented, two-time all-conference standout in her own right, led the team in assists with 10 and added nine goals. The senior forward goes into 2010 first on Lyon's career assists list with 22, sits third on the school's all-time goals list with 27 and is third in points with 76.

Marshall erupted in her first year with the Scots and earned first-team all-conference honors with a 13-goal, 8-assist breakout season. The forward from Tustin, Calif. also had two hat tricks and joined Ruegger as the only two Scots to pull off the accomplishment twice in the same season.

Defensively and in the midfield, Lyon has the potential to be just as tough for opposing offenses with three returnees and five talented newcomers. Goalkeeper Erica Cox, all-conference midfielder Kristin Maas and defender Liz Fuller make up three key returning members. Maria Kristjansdottir (University of Iceland), Koryn Najera (American River College), Creeia Nuckols (West Texas College) and Brina Siddiq (Newport Beach, Calif.) are expected to make an immediate splash as newcomers.

Cox earned nine of the team's 10 wins and picked up three shutouts in goal for the Scots in 2009. She returns for her senior season as Lyon's career leader in Goals Against Average (0.84), Wins (17) and shutouts (10).

"With Cox in goal our defense is set," said John. "With a healthy year from her and a good year from our backs, we ought to be able to compete in and out of the league with anyone."

The Scots' schedule might be the toughest ever at Lyon with a brutal stretch against the likes of Missouri Valley, Baker, Belhaven and Christian Brothers -all possible NAIA Top 25 teams at one point in the season or another. Not to mention, the always tough TranSouth Conference slate of games, including perennial national title contender Martin Methodist.

Lyon kicks off the regular season on Sept. 3 on the road against Christian Brothers.