Coach Andrew Ricks of Lane Tech's girls soccer team is proud of Jackie Vera's success on Loyola University soccer team and as a member of the under 21 Mexican National team, but part of him wishes she were back for another run at the city championship.

"One of our highlights from last year was definitely being around Jackie her senior season and winning city," Ricks said. "It's a little bit of a rebuilding year. We graduated eight seniors and we are playing a lot of young girls."

The Indians are winless in three games thus far, but they have tied one game which they hope to build on.

"We lost to Maine West 6-1 and Payton 4-0. We tied Maine East 1-1," Ricks said of their early season struggles.

A bright spot for Lane has been senior midfielder Mary Dennewitz. She brings a lot of experience that is vital to a group that lost their senior leader from last year's team. Dennewitz is lacing up her varsity cleats for the third year, and she has had great varsity success, competing in two city finals.

Ricks has also been impressed with two freshman forwards, Katie Lamb and Gabriela Loera. Though size is a factor with the younger players, they are gaining important varsity experience early in their soccer careers and will continue to develop as Ricks has time to mold them.

The Indians are also starting a sophomore in goal, Alma Gallegos, who continues to prosper under Ricks' guidance.

"Last year, we taught Jackie (Vera) how to incorporate others into the game. She did a great job of it," Ricks commented. "We don't have many girls with a lot of experience this year so the learning curve is a little slower."

Part of their struggles so far this year has been due to the fact that every team in the state is marking the Indians as the team to beat. A city title can have that effect on opponents. But the Indians are competing hard and the young team has a season of learning ahead of them.

Lane looks ahead to a challenging conference schedule, and while rebuilding is never an easy task, it's a certain that these girls will make up for their inexperience with effort and dedication.

"Northside College Prep, Young and Lincoln Park are all teams we are gearing up to play this year," Ricks added. "Payton is one of the best teams in the city. They were young last year so they will be good this season."