The Warren Lady Dragons soccer team has been here before. Last season, in fact.

But unlike last year, when they were the underdogs against a dominant Hickory team, this year’s squad rolls in with a 13-4-1 record and has every intention of capturing the first District 10 title in program history.

It won’t be easy, especially against a Meadville squad who they split with in the regular season. But this team, despite a two-week layoff since the end of the regular season, is locked in.

Meadville also had a long layoff before its semifinal contest against Hickory (Warren had a bye) on Monday, a game they won in overtime, 2-1, with sophomore Addie Phillis netting the game-winning goal.

It’s true, Warren has dealt with a lot of setbacks in the form of injuries to key players, but that has only made them stronger. And those players have been still been crucial to their success.

Coach Jeremy Bickling pointed out early in the season the strength of the defense. This is a team that has been known for its offensive prowess the last few seasons, but the defense has caught up to make them one of the top programs in District 10.

That defense starts with seniors Aubrianna Navaroli, Emily Egger and Jess Susz and sophomores Lennon Dailey and Alyssa Andersen (keeper).

Dailey and Andersen really came of age late in their freshmen seasons, playing their best soccer in the D-10 title game against Hickory. That has carried over to this season, as this group collectively has allowed just 23 goals in 18 games.

Susz is also adept at playing at midfield, as is fellow senior Sawyer Mohney. Fellow senior Brooklynn Neureiter was also a steady force, but she unfortunately is one of the players lost due to injury.

Offensively, junior Kyleigh Wilson was as good a goal-scorer as there was in District 10, but, much like Neureiter, injury has forced her out of action.

This is still a potent attack, however, led by junior Kyra Wotorson, senior MJ Fadale (who has also dealt with injury) and a pair of talented freshmen in Georgie Bickling and Ella Ordiway, as well as another freshman, Lauren Andersen.

It’s a unit that is averaging more than four goals per game, and is constantly putting pressure on opposing defenses.

For Meadville, they are led offensively by Elizabeth Adams, who scored the only goal in a 1-0 Meadville win over the Dragons on Oct. 9. The first meeting on Sept. 17 was a much different story. That game went 6-1 in favor of the Dragons.

Wotorson scored two goals in that game, as did Ordiway and Mohney, while Bickling and Wotorson each had two assists.

Start time from Fort LeBoeuf High School is slated for 5:30 p.m. Warren will be the home team on the scoreboard in their blue uniforms.

The Dragons will also get a nice sendoff at school with a walkthrough during seventh period.

Fans are encouraged to make the trip to LeBoeuf and support the Dragons as they attempt to make history.