The Michigan women's soccer team has won only nine games the past two seasons, but that lackluster mark hasn't prevented it from setting its sights on a Big Ten championship in 2010.

The Wolverines have a lot of experience returning from last year including the team's leading scorer, senior midfielder Jackie Carron. Also returning is the Big Ten's best goalkeeping tandem in redshirt sophomore Haley Kopmeyer and senior Kristen Keane, who combined to allow only 105 goals last season, leading the conference. Kopmeyer alone led the conference with 95 saves, becoming the first Wolverine to do so in a season.

The veteran leadership and above-average goalkeeping should give the Wolverines an excellent chance at finishing over .500 for the first time since 2006. But, there are some questions the Wolverines must answer to have the breakthrough season they've set their eyes on.

1. Can the Wolverines protect their new home field?

Since 2007, in 28 home games, the Wolverines have won only 10. A win percentage of 36 percent at home is hardly good enough to be relevant let alone an elite soccer program. There is an old saying in sports: “Good teams go .700 at home and .500 on the road.” If the Wolverines can come anywhere near those numbers their win total will be much improved in 2010. Michigan must win most of its home games this season or there is little chance of the team even finishing with a winning record.

2. Can the goalkeeping duplicate last year's success?

Michigan will need Kopmeyer to perform at somewhere near the record-setting season she had last year to have a chance at contending in the Big Ten. How she will handle that pressure remains to be seen. Keane is a nice backup to have as veteran insurance between the posts in case something goes wrong with Kopmeyer.

3. Can this team win games in the Big Ten?

The Wolverines have won a grand total of three Big Ten games since 2007. Definitely not enough. If the Wolverines want to be taken seriously at all, they will have to post more than one win in conference play. The Wolverines will have a chance to get off to a fast start in Big Ten play with three of the first four conference matches at U-M Soccer Complex.

4. Who will Step Up and Carry the Scoring Load?

The parts of the offense not returning include last season’s leading goal scorer Alex Jendrusch and consistent point producer Amy Klippert. That leaves a major void in the scoring department, forcing the team to count on the younger players to have breakout seasons. Last year's freshman sensation forward Holly Hein and sophomore swing player Kristen Goncalves each tallied three goals, but after them the numbers drop off dramatically. No other player scored more than one goal last season, so there is a definite need for someone to step up and make a difference.

5. Can this Team Change the Culture of the Program?

The last time Michigan had a winning season, no current player was on the roster. When you have a team full of players who are used to losing for three straight years, changing the mentality and culture of a program from one of disappointment and irrelevance to one of success and competitiveness is difficult. It is imperative this team gets off to a fast start and avoids some early losses because a rough start could implode the season and reinforce that losing atmosphere the Wolverines have endured the past three seasons.