For the time being, the John Stark girls soccer team is undefeated, but Heather Doucette still sees plenty of room for improvement.

The Lady Generals knocked off Kearsarge, 3-2 in overtime, to kick off the Class I regular season on Friday, Aug. 28, but the team’s mentor wasn’t satisfied.

“We’ve got a lot to work on,” said Doucette. “They have the potential of being a very strong and competitive squad, but you just never know.”

Following a semifinalround playoff setback last year, the 2009 Generals field a combination of veteran leadership and young talent.

Two freshmen in particular, Rachel Russell and Becca Titcomb, have impressed Doucette during the weeks of preseason training.

Doucette said Russell brings versatility and quickness to the midfield and front line, while Titcomb is also waiting in the wings ready to break into the starting lineup during her first season.

Molly Dussault, a senior, is a first-year starter at goalie, and she has transitioned well into the role after years of pushing older teammates as a backup.

Seniors Emily Pineault and Laura Macklin return as offensive threats on the front line, while senior Allison Harris has stepped seamlessly into the role of center-midfielder.

Kayla Hubbard remains a familiar face in the defensive backfield, returning for her third year as a starter. Doucette said her team has confidence on offense knowing Hubbard is behind them at sweeper, brushing aside potential mistakes.

The on-field chemistry pleased Doucette during the season opener, though that should continue to develop, too.

“We have some very exciting players who aren’t used to playing our style of play,” she said. “We weren’t as composed as we should have been, and a lot of that has to do with getting to know each other.”

Stark played in a Seacoast tournament recently, and Doucette said the girls handled the ball with more maturity and composure than in past seasons.

Historically, the Generals have snuck up on teams while making deep runs in the tournament, so it is strange for the squad to be viewed as a division favorite.

Yet after nearly playing in last year’s title game, Doucette said her team is not satisfied with another close call.

“They saw that they needed to change some of the style of play, so they want to make sure we’re definitely doing this as a unit,” said Doucett. “They want to get back, and they’re on a mission to do that.”