The Warrenton girls soccer program experienced its first setback of the season nearly six months before practice, when junior forward Colleen Bayer tore her ACL in an indoor-league game.

Bayer, who led the team with seven goals last year, will miss the season while rehabbing the injury and preparing for next spring.

First-year Warrenton Head Coach Amy Wargowsky wasn’t left with a completely barren roster, however.

Seven starters return from last year’s team that finished 6-17-1.

Junior midfielder Brittany Glazebrook leads the returning group after scoring six goals last season.

“Brittany is a really solid player,” Wargowsky said. “She plays year-round, which really helps her game a lot.”

Wargowsky said the core of this year’s team will be mostly juniors, of which there are nine.

Junior goalie Emmy Pape is expected to replace Kalee Kelly in net.

Pape saw action in  three games last season, picking up a win against Fulton and saving eight shots on 13 attempts.

Wargowsky was excited to welcome junior midfielder Macy Sommer back from basketball, as well.

Sommer missed the first week of practice after the girls basketball team won its district tournament.

“Macy is one of our better players, too,” she said. “So it will be nice to get close to a full team on the field and see what we can do.”

Sommer, who is also a defender, scored a pair of goals last season.

Senior forward Sarah Bunge, senior defender Reagan Cupp and senior midfielder Madi Stevens each scored a goal last year, as well.

Wargowsky said the core of her team is set, and she hopes those players can help the underclassmen develop.

“It’s exciting because we can grow this year and continue to get better,” she said. “I told my juniors the best thing they can do is to elevate the players around them, and I think they can do that. They want to have a good season.”

The Warriors are looking up at St. Charles West in the Gateway Athletic Conference North.

The rival Warriors won the league last season with an 8-0 record.

Wargowsky also expects St. Charles and Liberty to compete for the conference title, and hopes Warrenton can be competitive in a tough GAC North.

“I always tell the girls that you never know what is going to happen,” she said. “If we can compete, stay in games and score goals, I think everything will take care of itself."