PHILOMATH - Sierra Grunwald admits she often thinks back to that Saturday afternoon in November last year.

You know, the one where she scored two goals that helped the Philomath High girls soccer team to a victory over Valley Catholic in the 4A/3A/2A/1A state title game.

"Yep, a lot," she said. "It was such a great game and I would love to be there again this year."

The Warriors may have lost a lot off last year's team, including state player of the year Sadi Stouder, goalkeeper of the year Hope Gunter and six other key players, but the returners are bolstered by the confidence that comes with winning a title.

"It's sad because all of our seniors are gone and I miss them," junior Joceline Howard said. "They were really great people and I made a lot of really good relationships with them.

"This year should be really fun too, and it should be a good year if we work really hard for it. I know we want it again."

John Williams, named the 4A/3A/2A/1A coach of the year after winning his first title in his 13th year at the helm, knows this year's team has a good chance to make a run at another title.

It certainly won't be as easy early on this year. The Warriors won their first 12 games in 2008, outscoring opponents 71-1.

Philomath opens this season tonight at 5A North Eugene. The Highlanders went 13-3-1 last year and lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Bend.

The Warriors benefited from a lot of depth last year, which meant the normal bumps and bruises of a long season weren't as tough to overcome. Players were able to rest if needed, with the bench players ready to step into starting roles with little drop off.

That won't necessarily be the case this year, but that doesn't mean the Warriors aren't solid.

"I think we're still going to do really well but I do think it's going to be a lot more challenging because we have to work with what we have, which is less," Grunwald said. "I still think we have an amazing starting lineup so I think we will do really well."

Added Howard: "We don't have as many players this year so we have to work hard, a lot harder, if we want it again. We have good players."

One area that is an early concern is in the midfield, where the Warriors were hurt by graduation.

"Our defense is going to have to be super solid and we're all going to have to be in very, very good shape," Grunwald said. "Our midfield is really going to have to ... pull together. I think the three players who are going to move into that definitely have the potential to be a super midfield."

Sometimes teams that win a title can have a letdown entering the next season. That doesn't sound like the case with the Warriors.

"I think everyone's pretty determined," Grunwald said. "I don't think we are going to slack off."

While the Warriors had the strong start last year, they found out just how difficult it is to win a title.

They tied Westside Christian late in the Special District 4 season, then beat Westside Christian 3-2 in overtime in a seeding game.

They went to penalty kicks to knock off Catlin Gabel in the playoff opener, then held off Gladstone on the road 1-0 to reach the semifinals.

That experience should help the Warriors remain focused.

"You can't be cocky about anything or expect to go into any game winning," Howard said. "You just have to go play it as hard as you can every time. You can't just go and say we're going to win this easy."

If the Warriors are able to stay healthy and focused, Grunwald and her teammates have as good of a chance as any to experience another memorable Saturday afternoon in November.