Soccer is really a simple game with a simple goal. Namely, scoring goals. As the Hamline women's team approach the start of the 2013 season with a pair of games in Oregon, they have a basic aim: They want to season to extend past the first weekend in November.

If that happens, it would mean they would have qualified for the MIAC playoffs for the first time in school history. two years ago, that would have been only a hope. As Ted Zingman starts his seventh year at the helm of the progranm, however, it is much more than that now.

"The players realize how close they are," Zingman said, referring to the core of players that have been part of 22 overall victories the past two seasons. (Only Concordia has more). "This is the most skilled team we have had in my rime here but we still have to prove we can score goals."

There's that word again.

Before even playing a game, the 2013 contingent has already achieved one aim -- balance. "This is the first time our upper classmen outnumbers the newcomers," Zingman noted. "We have six freshmen this year ... and that is exactly the number  we want." The Pipers have five sophomores and seniors and seven juniors. 

The large latter class have played a big part in the turnaround. They were on hand in 2011 when the Pipers had their first winning season ever in MIAC play (5-4-2). Last year's team finished 5-5-1 and in 8th place in conference play. But they were just three points from the last playoff spot (4th place). And the Pipers haven't forgotten that they lost 4-3 in OT to Macalester and 3-2 in double OT to St. Benedict -- the teams that ended up there. 

The margin of success in soccer can be thin, indeed. 

Senior goalie Molly Jacobs has a tough 2012 act to follow -- she set a school record for wins (12) and shutouts (8) last season. Zingman is hoping freshman Amy Ramras will push Jacobs a bit while Erin Urbanowicz, last year's backup, recovers from an injury. 

Corinne Henning, a senior who has spent most of her playing time at midfield, is expected to drop back to shore up the defensive wall. Senior Hannah Plagman has been hurt but, when ready, is expected to be a solid presence on the back wall.  Nicole Verdoorn started every game last year, playing the most minutes of any non-goalie. Soph Caroline Exarhos, whose playing time was limited to nine games because of injury last year is expected to contribute more. . In general, Zingman feels this is the area the Pipers need to show the most improvement. The Pipers allowed just 17 goals last season ... but 13 of those came in the team's five losses. 

The offense starts up front with junior Aileen Scheibner, who tied for third in the MIAC last season with nine goals. No other returnee scored more than one last year but Zimgman said, "We have capabilities to generate offense." Veterans like senior Bri Garside (pictured), who has a solid preseason, are being counted upon to work with freshmen like Grace Nichols, Tessa Howard and Malya Hershowitz to add upfront punch to the Piper attack.

The midfield is a mix of players with considerable playing time such as soph Keanna Mienert (992 minutes last year) senior Alyssa Koulentis (545).

"We still have a lot of things to get right," Zingman said. "But making the playoffs is more than just a concept this year -- it's a reasonable goal to shoot for."

The Pipers have five tests -- four on the road -- before opening MIAC play September 17 at St. Ben's. This weekend will be a homecoming of sorts for the team's four Oregon natives (Urbanowicz, Rachel Cervantez, Koulentis and Jacobs). Hamline opens the season at Lewis & Clark in Portland on Friday and moves on to face Pacific in nearby Forest Grove the next afternoon. 

"I want us to play our game -- move the ball around the field a lot," Zingman said. "I would like to see us dictate play -- be the agressor a lot." 

Another goal set -- one that the Pipers hope is within their reach.