Bright and early on Wednesday morning, the members of the Panther women's soccer team got to work.

It was the opening day of preseason practice as the Panthers prepare for a new season that begins in less than two weeks.

For the first few days, the focus was on getting the returning and incoming players familiar with each other.

"It'll come along," said second-year Head Coach Kennet Fosuhene. "I want them to get a little bit accustomed to each other, to playing with each other. And then the next couple of days we'll start working on tactical things."

The Panthers are hoping to build on the momentum they established at the close of the 2021 season.

LaGrange won four consecutive games before falling to Maryville in the season finale, and it finished with a 5-6-1 record.

This year's team features a nice mix of returning players, as well as the addition of some talented newcomers ready to make an impact on the college level.

"I feel like we're going to make it far," said one of those newcomers, sophomore Kendyl Anderson, a Cartersville High graduate who has transferred from Georgia Highlands College. "We've just got to click, which is what this whole week is for."

Another first-year player, freshman Maddie Drobisch from South Paulding High, has enjoyed getting to know her new teammates.

"It's super-fun, just learning everybody's names, and getting to play with them," said Drobisch.

Anderson admitted to some nerves on the night before the first practice, and she was glad to finally get on the field.

"It was really fun," she said. "I was overthinking (before practice). Last night, I was real nervous, but when I got there it was pretty cool. I liked it a lot. You just have to get the nerves out."

With the season opener two weeks away, the first few days of practice gives the players a chance to build some chemistry.

"You're just finding out how everyone plays, and where you fit in," Drobisch said.

The Panthers have a preseason game on Aug. 27 before opening the season on Sept. 1 at Johnson University in Florida.

The Panthers make their home debut on Sept. 10 against Oglethorpe.