A strong frontline will lead the Spartans women鈥檚 team in coach Cheryl Jean-Paul鈥檚 second season.

Joining returnees Holly Strom and Tiffany Olson is former SFU standout Laurelle Weigl, who has also played with the national team.

鈥淪he has really upped our game in terms of her ability to create some scoring opportunities,鈥� Jean-Paul said of Weigl.

The Spartans went 4-3 in the preseason, including winning a tournament at the University of Manitoba.

The results leave the coach with optimism,

鈥淲e still have growing pains to get through but I think we are moving in the right direction,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 think we have all the tools we need to be successful; it is just a matter of putting it together in time to make it work when we need to.鈥�

The women鈥檚 team opens the season at home with a pair of games against the Victoria Vikes at the 91原创 Events Centre. On Friday, the action gets underway at 6 p.m. and the next day鈥檚 games begin at 5 p.m.