The Brandon University women's soccer team is eager to capitalize on the expression 'third times a charm' as they enter their third season in the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference.

The Bobcats kick off their 10-game schedule with a pair of contests on home field this weekend against the Red River College Rebels and CMU Blazers.

QUICK FACTS:  
Finished with 6-and-2 record in regular season last year
Lost 2-1 to Red River in last year's championship final
Roster features 13 returning players and seven new additions
Admission is free to all BU home games
MCAC championship slated for October 29-30 at Red River College

An impressive core of returning players bolsters the Bobcats' lineup after the club had a solid sophomore campaign in 2015. Brandon finished in second-place in the regular season standings and brought home a silver medal from the conference championship.

Bobcats' coach Rainer Schira is confident his team can take the next step and secure the top prize in the MCAC soccer ranks.

"The returning players are especially hungry to get that championship because we were so close last year, they are ready to do this," said Schira.

Bobcats' reigning team MVP Jaycee Castle is among the talented cast of veterans. Last season, she finished second in regular season scoring and was selected by the MCAC as an all-star. BU's rookie of the year Aziza Kinnarath also collected conference all-star accolades after a fantastic freshman year.

Meanwhile, 2014 Bobcats' captain Bailee Ploshynsky is poised to make her return to the pitch after missing the majority of last season due to injury. Ploshynsky is a powerful re-addition to club after winning the conference's scoring title two seasons ago.

"Our core is back," added Schira. "We lost some really good players from last year's team, but we picked up some really good players to fill their shoes. The core of our team has come back motivated to accomplish our goal alongside our new recruits."

Brandon begins their 2016 season with a pair of games at the Healthy Living Centre field, including their home opener Saturday against a familiar foe.

The Bobcats welcome Red River on Saturday in a rematch of last year's championship final. On Sunday, CMU is bound for BU to battle to the Bobcats. Both games start at 1 p.m.