TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (August 15, 2023) - There are few programs that are riding higher than the Salt Lake Community College women's soccer team.

The Bruins finished as the NJCAA runner-up in 2022, earning an NJCAA Western District title and fighting their way to a 2-1 loss in the NJCAA title match. Salt Lake is an elite program but it is also a program in transition, losing its head coach to a rising NCAA program just a few weeks ago.

SLCC righted the ship quickly, elevating Amy LePeilbet to the head coaching position from her lead assistant role. Now it's on the Bruins to continue their strong play, regardless of who is leading the program.

"We came into preseason with a few main goals," said LePeilbet. "We want the team to embrace our identity as a team and to gain a good understanding of our style of play with the ability to implement our style with confidence and effectiveness. We also want to gain fitness and tactical understanding throughout our preseason training sessions.

LePeilbet is a soccer icon, having starred for Team USA and then coaching at the professional level. For all of her success and experience around high-level athletes though, LePeilbet said she has been most impressed by her team's workmanship in the preseason practices.

"Our preseason has been very good," she noted. "The players have shown up daily with great energy, and a motivation to work. Training sessions have been intense and fun, the mood of the players has been fantastic, and the implementation of our style of play has been great."

Salt Lake will open it season Saturday, hosting Central Wyoming. SLCC will play its other two preseason contests against Laramie County and Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Heading into the season opener, LePeilbet is optimistic the team's abilities will continue to develop.

"As we move through the season, we will learn and grow together," she said. "We will build stronger bonds as a team, we will boost our mentality, and we will evolve tactically and develop the ability to be tactically fluid within our matches."

Saturday's match against Central Wyoming will start at 1:30 p.m.