After two games against top teams in the state, the Lake Washington girls soccer team liked what it saw.

“We’ve been extremely consistent,” said Suzanne Hart. “The practices leading up to our games have been focused and intense. I think it paid off in our last two games because we were able to compete with some top opponents in our state. That was really great for our girls to experience.”

The team returns nine varsity players from last years squad, including the three captains Jessie Zogg, Amy Johnson and Emma Holm.

“It’s going good,” said senior sweeper Zogg. “Our practices have been good and very aggressive.”

Thanks to those strong practices and strength of the whole team, Hart said pretty much anyone can come off the bench and fit in on the field.

“Our last two games everyone played and got some playing time and it was very consistent in play, even with people coming off the bench, which told us we have a very deep bench which I think is a postive this year,” said the coach.

Since the team is returning so many players, and several with four years of experience, Hart hopes that will help the team getting closer to their goals.

“We want to do well in league,” said Holm, a senior center-midfielder.

“We’ve talked about going to state,” said Zogg.

For Hart, she has been impressed with how the leadership and experience has affected the rest of the team.

“I think we have a few seniors on our team that this is there fourth year on varsity,” she said. “I think they bring a lot of experience and drive into the season, and that trickles down into all the younger players as well. We have four really strong freshman that we can see getting considerable amount of playing time this year. I think they are going to make a difference  on the  team.”

For her, she wants to see everyone bring that strong work ethic to all games and practices.

“Some things that we’ve talked about are bringing intenstity to each practice and fighting hard to the finish of each game and making it to the playoffs because we do all those things,” said Hart.

The team was excited to play Mercer Island in the first regular season game, which took place on Tuesday, after Reporter deadline.

“The first game is always exciting. Last season it was Mercer Island and it’s your first regular season game by default we’re excited to play them and get the season going,” said Hart. “Every team is exciting to play, because in this league we get to play them twice, and so we play them one time and then you get a chance to beat them again, or do better the next time you see them in the season.”

The Kangs will host Mount Si on Tuesday, Sept. 20 with a 7:30 p.m. start time.