En route to sharing its first University Athletic Association championship since 1999 and first postseason win since 2007, the 2011 Washington University men’s soccer team scored 40 goals.

Of those 40 goals, just three of them were scored by players who will be in the lineup for Friday night’s season opener in Birmingham, Ala., thanks to departed seniors and early-season injury troubles.

That may not be an ideal situation for the team, but it’s an opportunity for many new players and returning members to show what they can do.

“We have a big group of freshmen coming in that we’re going to need regardless,” senior Brian Wright said. “It’s really a good opportunity for the freshmen to come in and prove that they deserve some time.”

The lineup “by-committee,” as head coach Joe Clarke referred to it, will have some big shoes to fill. Gone are two All-Americans—first-teamer Cody Costakis and third-teamer Pat McLean. Also gone is the team’s leader in goals and shots on goal, Dylan Roman.

“That group last year was a talented group of players,” Clarke said. “Two All-Americans, the bulk of our goal scoring, just a fantastically athletic class. It’s a lot to replace.”

But that’s far from the only personnel challenge the Bears are facing. Last season’s other leading goal-scorer, senior Zach Query, is out with a torn meniscus in his knee, as is junior Jeremy Kirkwood. Junior Michael Flowers is potentially out with a foot injury, while senior Kenji Kobayashi suffered a concussion and is out as well.

That presents a challenge, and one that could lead to some low-scoring games in the early going. But it’s one that leads to new potential for several freshmen and returning players to step up.

“It’s an exciting time if you’re an attacking player on the team,” junior goalie Jonathan Jebson said. “We’re replacing a lot of goal-scoring from last season, and with these injuries…if I was a forward, I’d be so excited about the opportunity to play a lot of minutes and score a lot of goals.”

Jebson mentioned freshman Connor Roach and junior Martin Schoen as examples of players who have been making the most of their opportunities.

While the offense is full of potential (and uncertainty), the back end looks to be much more secure and could be poised for a huge year. Jebson is the anchor in net, and did a sound job last season by only allowing 12 goals in his 20 games.

With all four members of last season’s starting back line still on the team, Jebson expressed excitement about the team defense and had high expectations—and high praise.

“I just feel so confident with these guys, trust them with my life, and know that they’re playing well together and playing well individually,” Jebson said.

Like Jebson, Wright expressed kind words for his teammates.

“If I make a mistake…more often than not, Jono [Jebson] will come up with that spectacular save to keep us in the game,” Wright said.

Clarke also noted strong preseason play from each of the team’s other three goalies: senior David Wilson, junior Michael McCarthy and sophomore David Wang. In the team’s three scrimmages, all four goalies combined for three straight shutouts.

“Those four guys have really tightened up their game, and they’re doing a very good job,” Clarke said. “It’s probably the most important position on your team, and I’m really happy with all of them.”

With the changing pieces on offense and the stability on the back end, everyone looks toward the senior leadership for further example and guidance. Query and Kobayashi still make contributions off the field, even while injured, while Wright, Wilson and senior James Underwood will represent them on the field for the time being.

And that group of seniors—a group that have made steps forward in each of their three seasons here—has seen what the past senior classes have done and are trying to bring that same leadership to the table this year.

“Part of our team that’s always been really strong is the chemistry aspect of it,” Wright said. “We’ve always been such a really close-knit group, and watching that kind of grow, going from a freshman to a sophomore to a junior to a senior and kind of being more important in that role, as a leader, has been pretty cool.”

The Bears will take on Birmingham Southern University on Friday at 7:30 p.m.