They’re a work in progress, but with nine letterwinners back, the Bradford Lady Owls figure to still be a formidable soccer club, even as they figure out how to replace some stars from 2019.

Gone are three key contributors — Regan Johnson, Elizabeth Miller and Taylor Komidar — from a roster that finished 12-6-1 and made it to the PIAA state playoffs. Johnson in particular is a huge loss, as the speedster led the Big 30 in scoring a year ago en route to Player of the Year honors.

As such, third-year head coach Warren Shaw notes that the pieces are still coming together right now, ahead of the team’s first game today against Elk Catholic.

“They were three great kids that meant a lot to me and the program, and you just don’t replace kids like that,” he said. “And we have some work to do. Our development is good, but it’s a slow process. You don’t just replace three seniors that were key contributors overnight.”

Certainly not, but the cupboards aren’t empty for Shaw this year, either.

Offensively, Shaw points to a number of players capable of producing goals this year as the Lady Owls fill the scoring gap left by Johnson. At the forefront of the up-and-coming group is sophomore Maddi Cowburn, who burst onto the scene a year ago for BAHS.

“She’s an incredible talent, and she’ll score,” Shaw said. “I hope she’s a little more selfish this year to be honest, because she’s a phenomenal player.”

Also expected to factor into the goal scoring this year are Mackenzie Lucas and Emily Morgan, a freshman who “has come in here and impressed me with her aggression,” Shaw said.

In addition, Chloe Shaw is capable of scoring from longer distances, providing the Lady Owls with some versatility, while another freshman, Kelsey Austin, has shown flashes at midfield, Shaw says.

“We’ve pushed (Austin) all over the field, and we’ve finally found a home for her,” he said. “She’s going to be a good player; she’ll score some for us.”

Wingers Marissa Miller and Kierra Hogue will also factor in.

Meanwhile, the backlines are where Bradford’s strengths may truly lie. The Lady Owls’ defensive back three features a trio of juniors: Lauren Placer, Abbie Nuzzo and Emily Prince.

Placer will be the anchor of that unit.

“You’re probably not going to find a better defender,” Shaw said of Placer. “She’s an excellent center back. She’s tall, rangy and a good passer and confident; just your prototypical center back.”

Olivia Coles, Eliana Kane and Emily Reynolds will also rotate in, Shaw said.

Behind that group is new goalkeeper Lea Kakolewski, who transferred to Bradford at the tailend of the 2019 season. She and freshman Paige Smith are the two goalkeepers on roster.

“Last year, I got three days with (Lea). I had a whole summer with her this year,” Shaw said. “We’re still developing through some things, and hopefully she’ll just save the saveable. That’s what I care about. If she makes a spectacular one here and there, awesome, but just save the ones you’re supposed to save.”

And, perhaps fittingly given the new faces in some roles, the Lady Owls are taking on an unusual schedule this year. Bradford won’t be traveling to the Erie area this year due to playing in the Intermediate Unit 9 “bubble” and instead will be strictly up against teams from the four-county area of McKean, Potter, Elk and Cameron counties.

With that comes a bit of unfamiliarity, but Shaw says the opponent shouldn’t matter.

“Whoever they put in front of us, it’s about our game, not their game. If we come out and play our game, we’ll be successful,” he said. “At this point, we just want to get out on the field against somebody else.”

And as time goes along against this year’s schedule, Shaw says the Lady Owls may have the makings of another solid year.

“By midseason, we could have the makings of a good group,” he said. “But it’s up to (the players) and how hard they want to work. There are certain times they can light it up if they want. There’s a mixture of young and experience here, and we’ll just have to bring it along.”

The remaining schedule is as follows:

September

17 — Ridgway, 5 p.m.

19 — at St. Marys, 12:30 p.m.

21 — at Elk County Catholic, 4 p.m.

24 — at Port Allegany, 4:30 p.m.

29 — at Ridgway, TBA

October

1 — at Elk County Catholic, 5 p.m.

3 — St. Marys, 1 p.m.

5 — Port Allegany, 7 p.m.

7 — at Kane, 4 p.m.

12 — at St. Marys, 5 p.m.

15 — Kane, 5 p.m.

17 — Port Allegany, 1:30 p.m.

19 — Ridgway, 7:30 p.m.