This is the year Wayne Capra has been building toward.

Since taking over the South Fayette High School girls' soccer program in 2005, Capra has orchestrated the evolution of a Lions squad that won its first ever section title two seasons ago and earned its first playoff victory last season.

One of the few elements void from Capra's resume at South Fayette, however, is this: He hasn't been around long enough to coach any of his players through their entire high school career.

Capra can now check that one off his list, too.

"This is my fourth year, so this is my first full class here," said Capra, who previously had led Upper St. Clair to four WPIAL Class AAA titles. "They know the system I run and they know the expectations I have. As seniors, it's their job to reach back and pull the other girls through."

And as Capra hopes, "pull" the Lions to their best season yet.

There will be plenty of familiar faces in the Lions lineup, as evidenced by the team's seven returning senior starters. Highlighting that group is Sarah Wisniewski, an ultra-athletic forward who netted 19 goals last season, and Colleen Graeser, one of the premier sweepers in the WPIAL.

Wisniewski heads an offense that scored 95 goals last season, and Graeser anchors a defense that is among the most talented in Class AA. Graeser, whom Capra calls a "difference maker" on the back line, joins fellow returnees Megan Morgan and Ashley Schmider to form a unit that will serve as the team's backbone. Junior stopper Chelsea Gaab rounds out the quartet.

"That's the strength of our team," Capra said. "I'm a defensive-minded coach and, generally, when I put four people on the field I don't change my defense. I tell them, 'Once I put you back there, you're there for the duration of the game.' This defense is a good defense. I have no concerns with them at all. It's the rest of the field I'm worried about."

The midfield area shouldn't be a concern, as three starters return -- Hilary Ford, Alyssa Ingham and Lindsay Petrillo.

In goal, the Lions start junior Maura Vitelli, who takes over for Stephanie Kedzuf.

A few sophomores fighting for significant playing time are Nicole Hilton and Heather Holeva.

South Fayette is no doubt a veteran squad, but it also boasts a handful of promising freshmen, something that has put a broad smile on Capra's face.

"We're finally at the point where the sophomores and juniors are looking over their shoulders at the incoming freshmen," Capra said. "I've never had that here, but now we do. I think it will make everyone better."

Among those top newcomers are Lindsay Rzpecki, Erika Ford, Diane Graeser, Jessie Barton and Sarah Pruss.

The turnover in the Lions' starting corps may be minimal, but that doesn't mean they won't be susceptible to change. The biggest transition will come in the form of the team's schedule, with Section 1-AA becoming much more heated with the addition of South Park and Charleroi.

Facing off against South Park, in particular, will be quite the challenge, as the Eagles are coming off a PIAA championship and are the two-time defending WPIAL champions.

"Our section went from one of the easiest in Double-A to one of the hardest," Capra said. "It's going to be a test for us, but that's exactly what we want.

"Charleroi has always been a hard-nosed, blue-collar type team, and South Park is the defending champion. We may not have as good a record, but it won't be because we're not as good a team, but rather because we are facing tougher opponents."

South Fayette, ranked No. 3 in WPIAL Class AA by the Post-Gazette, opened with victories against Keystone Oaks and Ringgold last weekend, and is scheduled to travel to play Thomas Jefferson today.

The Lions finished last season 16-5-1 (10-0 in Section 1-AA) and saw their season ended by Neshannock, 1-0, in overtime, in the WPIAL quarterfinals.