ITTA BENA, Miss. – The Mississippi Valley State women’s soccer team is putting the final touches on their preparation for its season opener on Friday in Starkville against South Alabama.

The teams will open the 2012 campaign at 4 p.m. and the Devilettes will be back on the soccer field on Sunday against Tennessee-Martin in Starkville.

MVSU head coach Sonia Curvelo hopes the Devilettes can continue the success they’ve had over the last couple years.

“I feel that the last two years of reaching the finals has really helped my team grow and has helped us understand how important preparation is to having a successful season,” said Curvelo.

MVSU returns all but two of its players from last year’s team that advanced all the way to the SWAC Championship Game. The Devilettes also picked up four newcomers.

“The players have been working really hard throughout the summer months to prepare for the 2012 season,” Curvelo said. “I feel that our team has more experience and understands the level I want our program to be on the field and in the classroom.”

Curvelo also said the players aren’t the only one’s who have improved over the summer.

“This summer, I have surrounded myself with some of the best coaches in the world such as Jose Mourinho and I’m looking at adding some important parts in our preparation that I feel is need in our program, which will help us get more results.”