In its final preseason game, the women’s soccer team will look to improve its struggling offense against L.A. Valley College Wednesday at Monarch Stadium at 5 p.m.

“We need to find somebody to score,” coach John Britton said. “We don’t care how we do it; we just need someone to put the ball in the net.”

Britton thinks the offense will be a work in progress due to lack of depth and skill.

“We just don’t have the skill to put it in the net, and that’s going to be a problem all year. We’re trying to solve it,” Britton said.

The Warriors were awarded a victory by a way of forfeit last Friday against Citrus College. They were given 1-0 victory because Citrus had to drop the program for this season due to lack of players.

“Citrus called it off after the season started, so we got the forfeit victory. Had they called it off before the season started, it would have meant nothing,” Britton said

In last Thursday’s game, the Warriors were defeated 1-0 by the Oxnard College Condors; it was the third consecutive game where the women’s soccer team was shut out.

“It was a good play,” sophomore Danielle Seibel said. “They connected on a good pass, and it went in the far post.”

Coach Britton sees a continuing pattern similar to last year’s squad where it had a very strong defense and not enough offense.

“I’m real pleased with the defense, including the way the goalkeepers are playing,” Britton said. “They’re keeping us in games that we shouldn’t be winning.”

The offense, on the other hand, is beyond struggling. It has scored only four goals in six games. Britton is considering moving some of the defensive players into the forward position with hopes of jump-starting the offense.

The Warriors last year finished second in the competitive South Coast Conference with an overall record of 12-7-1.

“Last year we finished second in the South Coast Conference,” Britton said. “But we exceeded our own expectations.”

However, the Warriors over the offseason lost players who advanced to universities as well as a couple of players lost due to academic problems.

Although last year’s team was rather new as well, it had more experience and leadership which begin clicking halfway into the season.

“We lost a lot of experience,” sophomore Brittaney Garcia said. “We don’t have a lot of returning players, so our team is rather young.”

Britton still thinks his team can make the playoffs like last year with strong defense and goaltending, but the offense needs to finish the chances it creates or it will be a long season.

“I’m very disappointed in our play because we’re creating chances but can’t finish the opportunities that they create.”

“This year, if we can find someone who scores than we should be able to match last year’s performance,” Britton said. “We’re stronger at defense and a little better in the midfield.”

Some players who are expected to make an impact are sophomore goalkeeper Seibel, a transfer from Santa Rosa College.

Another welcome addition is freshman midfielder Alexis O’Neal, a former standout at South Torrance High School.

“In the midfield we’ve picked up a very good player in O’Neal,” Britton said, “however, injuries have allowed her play in only half the games. So obviously if we had her full time we would be more of a scoring threat.”

The offense needs to step it up in order to win some games.

“Not being able to score goals is h urting us, and that’s the name of soccer,” Britton said.