Going into her second year at the helm of ISU soccer, coach Wendy Dillinger would like to focus on 2009.

Injuries, inexperience, and a brutal conference schedule all contributed to the upsetting ending of 2008, which saw the Cyclones finish 5-12-2 overall, but 0-8-2 in conference.

Clinging to a draw against then-first place Colorado after facing 37 shots in 110 minutes of soccer may have been the team’s brightest moment, but for a team that finished the year with only two healthy seniors, it was difficult to get anything going in the conference schedule.

The team’s youth should end up being a positive sign for 2009, with more athletic players coming in and goalkeepers Ann Gleason and Ashley Costanzo returning for another year in the net. The goalies split time for the last month of the season, and were a large reason the squad was able to squeeze a few points out of the Big 12. Sophomore mid fielder Jordan Bishop provided some much-needed energy and skill all season, but with more support for next season, coach Dillinger may be able to give her field general the occasional breather.

2008 wasn’t kind to the Cyclones. Facing 100 more shots than they fired and double the corner kicks than they attempted wasn’t an efficient way to build morale. Getting the ball up the field and giving the attack some opportunities will become a priority after last fall’s effort.

The team will still be young in 2009, but Dillinger’s coaching should find a foothold, and her staff is developing team play as quickly as possible. There’s no where to go but up for the conference season, and with the right kind of leadership on the pitch for next fall, Dillinger and the team will gladly leave 2008 behind.