Grace Schisler will open her fourth year of representing the Laurentian Voyageurs women's soccer program this coming Sunday at home versus the RMC (Royal Military College) Paladins, all while playing for the third different coach of her career.

While she is only two weeks into her tenure with new head coach Emily Porteous, Schisler is quick to suggest there are reasons for optimism that this fit will stick.

"She has played at this level; she knows the teams we are competing against," said the 21 year-old fourth year Kinesiology major from Whitby. "Already, we're having so much fun reviewing the plays."

"She is very understanding and knows that we will male mistakes," added Schisler. "All she cares about is that we try our hardest."

On a roster laden with freshmen and sophomores, the lifelong defender is far more focused on over-riding positives and future of the team than being consumed completely with the win-loss record of a team that has captured just five combined victories in the past three years.

"I have a responsibility of wanting the younger ones to feel welcome and be able to talk to me," said Schisler, who is adjusting to the three-woman back-line Laurentian is likely to use on Sunday.

"I want to see the whole team have confidence. I've always been told that you should strive to leave the program better than when you arrived."

With plenty of experience both as a centerback and a left fullback, the left-footed veteran can see the benefits to her being utilized in either role.

"I am pretty aggressive back there and I have the speed," said Schisler. "I left the left side, out wide, because I like to run up and down the line. That's my favourite. If I can get close to goal, I am going to go to goal."

"I'm also good in the middle because I do communicate a lot," she added. "Coaches often like me in the middle. It doesn't take me long to adjust to new backline teammates."

While the season opener against RMC can certainly be classified as winnable, the going gets tougher the very next weekend when the Voyageurs travel to the nation's capital for matches with the Carleton Ravens (Sept 5th) and Ottawa Gee Gees (Sept 6th), returning home to face the Nipissing Lakers on Saturday September 12th at noon.

"We need to stay positive," said Schisler. "In the past, we've had a tendency where if we let in a goal, our head go down."

"That never helps."