EUGENE, Ore.  – While defensive prowess has been the calling card of the Bushnell women's soccer program over the past few seasons, it would appear that the blueprint will balance out in 2025 with the offense taking on a more significant role. In turn, this should lead to more wins for the Beacons as they push for a return to the CCC tournament.     
 
"The last few years we have been really defensively sound," says third-year head coach Halle Meadows. "We have been structured and we have had that fight, but this is the first year where we have the threats up top. We have relied on one our two players to get the job done and now we will be able to be  more dynamic offensively."
 
The Beacons will have a very new look in 2025 with a reduction in roster from nearly 40, down to 25. Bushnell will have 14 players return, joined by 12 newcomers. While it was an expected shift after graduating over 20 seniors, it was a strategic move as well for the health of the program.
 
Meadows said, "I think the first thing we noticed with the change of roster size is how much closer the girls are. The camaraderie between the players and how much they support one another to find success is a lot easier. As coaches, we are able to give more individual and specific coaching points and also have everyone on the same page and bought into our standards and team goals."
 
FORWARDS
 
Coach Meadows beams when she talks about the new-look offense that the Beacons will roll out and their depth of options in the final third. "We have relied heavily on Emily Puita and a few others in the past. Now all three Forwards are absolutely dangerous and the people we have coming off the bench are right there as well."
 
Front and center is senior Stephanie Llanos who scored four goals in her first season with the Beacons, including game-winners against Pacific Union and Providence. Coach Meadows said, "We kind of limited Steph in her role last year and in moving her up, she has complete freedom to do what she does on the outside. She scored five goals in our scrimmages and giving her that freedom has made her dangerous."
 
Former club soccer rivals have joined the Beacons this year as teammates and both are expected to provide plenty of fireworks. Elidia Cervantes (Springfield, Ore.) and Ohu Miles (Vancouver, Wash.) should start up top as freshmen this season. Coach Meadows said, "I have been able to coach Elidia in club over the last few years and it's exciting to have her on the team. Anytime she has the ball she does something good up top. I have coached against Ohu in club and she has always been a volume scorer. I'm excited to have her doing what she does on our side."
 
Other returners providing depth at Forward include seniors Jasmine Seago and Adrie Lader. Coach Meadows said, "Jasmine has a quick trigger and is someone who can score from outside 20 yards at a moments notice. Adrie provides some depth on the wings and when she puts the ball in, good things happen."
 
Fresh faces to the Bushnell offense this season include redshirt freshman Madison Krause, who saw action in reserve games last year, along with junior transfers Ellie Winkelman (Hoquiam, Washington/Willamette University) and Anette Avila (Coalinga, Calif./Lemoore College).
 
MIDFIELD
 
It will be an experienced group patrolling the midfield this year for the Beacons with two seniors and a junior among the starters and plenty of depth. "We have a more technical and intelligent midfield this year," said Meadows. "What we lack in strength we more than make up for in soccer IQ."
 
The biggest change for the Beacons comes in the form of a position change for two-time All-Cascade Conference player Lexis Canyete-Asato. The senior shifts from defense to the midfield for her final campaign, another strategic effort in the offensive system.
 
Meadows said, "Lex was playing and starting all summer for Lane United in the USLW in that center midfielder role and really excelled. To bring that to our level is going to make it challenging for teams to play through our midfield."
 
Indiana Chambers continues as a starter for the Beacons in her second season. She scored just one goal last year but expect big things from the sophomore, says Coach Meadows. Indy will play a little higher up the field because her ability to get the ball into the box is big for us."
 
Sophomore Leslie Monjaras played in 13 games as a freshman, making three starts, and is being counted on for an expanded role in 2025. "Leslie is a coach and her ability to translate that on the field has been invaluable," said Meadows.
 
An important addition to the lineup this season will be junior college transfer Mia Morales (Caruthers, Calif.). Two years at Lemoore College yielded her a pair of All-Conference honors before making the jump to Bushnell. Meadow said, "Mia comes in as a collegiate starter and captain and her knowledge of the game really bolsters things for us."
 
Other midfield depth is provided by junior Sophie Cadaret, along with freshman Charlotte Vandercar (Eugene, Ore./Sheldon HS).
 
DEFENSE
 
The defense will provide the starkest contrast to the previous year as most of the starters graduated and Canyete-Asato relocated. "We lost a lot of starting upper-classmen, and our backline will be younger," said Meadows, "but three of the four have played together already and I don't feel like we will lose a step."
 
Sophomore Kenedi McDonald started all but one game for the Beacons last season and provides the most experience on the outside, joined by freshman Addy Morgan (Carson City, Nev.) on the opposite side. Morgan was a three-time All-Conference midfielder and track standout at Carson HS and has been a decent surprise for the coaches.
 
"Addy provides some depth that we weren't necessarily expecting," said Meadows. "She has a motor that just goes, goes, goes, and has been a surprising fit for our outside."  
 
They are joined by senior Lorelai Murphy and sophomore Lola Rebuck who will see significant time serving as the center backs.
 
Other players filling roles on defense include seniors Ellie Arzie and Mayah Torok along with freshman Emma Ratterree (Weatherford, Okla.) and transfer Brooke Richardson (Medford, Ore.).
 
GOALKEEPERS
 
Leading the way between the pipes for the Beacons will be Brazilian standout Ana Agusto. Playing just under 500 minutes last season before being derailed with an injury, Agusto had posted two shutouts and a 1.27 Goals Against Average. Coach Meadows said, "Ana is a captain this year, and she is in tip-top shape for her final season. She didn't get to compete as much as we would have liked because she was hurt, but the sky is the limit for her this year."
 
Agusto will be joined by Gabriella Montes (Springfield, Ore.), a local product from Thurston High.
 
SCHEDULE
 
After a highly successful set of scrimmages, the Beacons will officially open up the 2025 campaign on Thursday, playing host to Willamette University.
 
After three more non-conference contests, the Cascade Conference slate begins on the road against the University of Providence on September 18.
 
The Beacons first CCC home game is set for October 3 when they will face off against Walla Walla University in a varsity game for the first time in school history.
 
Bushnell will look to return to the postseason after a one-year hiatus with eyes on the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament, beginning November 8. "I think with how the Conference is sitting right now, we have the ability to do well this year," said Meadows. "We are hoping to not just get to the post-season but win and I believe we have it in us to do so."