After starting strong and winning the inaugural edition of the Colorado Cup, CU women’s soccer finds themselves in a rough patch where they can’t seem to find the back of the net.

Colorado volleyball assistant coach Leonid Yelin has likely the most distinguished résumé of any assistant to come to CU in any sport.

Jon Embree and the rest of the CU coaching staff knew there was only one option after the team lost to Hawaii in the season opener: to move forward and continue to improve. “Kids are resilient,” Embree says. “I’ve put it behind me, and I’m ready to get going against Cal.”

Colorado began the season in Greeley on Friday, where they split a doubleheader against UNLV and UC Davis, beating the former and falling in the nightcap in four sets. CU returned home and defeated Northern Colorado, which was picked to finish first in the Big Sky conference, in five dramatic sets.

A fresh new coaching staff is looking to re-establish the program and build it back up into the powerhouse it once was. This process starts with Jon Embree, who is restoring a tradition implemented by his coach, Bill McCartney. The tradition was carried on until it was discontinued and covered up by former head coach Dan Hawkins’ staff.

Bill Hempen’s University of Colorado women’s soccer team had a lot of chances to be an NCAA tournament team last year. The only problem was that they didn’t capitalize on their opportunities.

Colorado head coach Jon Embree released the first depth chart of the 2011 campaign on Aug. 22, and many inexperienced freshmen and first-time starters will walk onto the field a week from Saturday, when the Buffs travel to Honolulu to face Hawaii in the season opener. Here's a look at some of the more notable starters announced:

Emma Coburn never dreamed she would come this far. CU’s cross-country/track standout, a senior from Crested Butte, completed her journey to superstardom in the running world earlier this summer with victories in two big — scratch that, huge — national races.

Greg Brown is back in Boulder. After spending last year as a co-defensive coordinator on Mike Stoops’ Arizona coaching staff, Brown decided to return to his home state for his third stint with the Colorado Buffaloes.

Having spent her entire career at the University of Colorado — both as a women’s basketball coach and as an administrator in the Big 12 or Big 8 — University of Colorado Associate Athletic Director Ceal Barry is looking forward to the school’s move to the Pac-12 Conference.