Inconsistency and injuries helped keep the Husson College women’s soccer team from achieving its goals in 2005.

This fall, with a veteran returning squad bolstered by two impact transfers and a strong freshman class, coach Keith Bosley’s Eagles hope to again challenge for the North Atlantic Conference title.

Husson, which opened Sunday with a 2-0 win over Southern Maine, figures to be better this fall after losing only two players from the 8-8-3 team that lost in the NAC quarterfinals.

“We’re cautiously excited,” said the ninth-year coach, whose team was picked to finish third in the NAC preseason coaches poll. “We had a good preseason and everybody came out relatively healthy.”

Senior Leah Drew of Caribou returns in goal after an injury-marred season during which she led the league with an .892 save percentage. Drew, who owns all of Husson’s goalkeeping records, is backed up by sophomore Tatyana Wolterbeek of Wells, who also contributes off the bench as an attacker.

Husson could be more potent up front in its 3-5-2 alignment as sophomore transfers Shelby Pickering of Lee (from the University of Maine), and Katie Nickerson of Belfast (Keene State) are now the attackers.

Bosley has moved senior Meredith Homer, the team’s No. 2 scorer last season with five goals and an assist, and junior Laura Clarke of Bangor (2 & 2) into the back line. They’ll flank junior Shelby Morissette (3 & 2).

Top returning scorer Elissa Gordon of Bucksport (3 & 6), the center midfielder, is back in better health and has senior Kaylin Caron (5 & 1) and sophomore Laurie Melen (3 & 3) on either side of her. The defensive midfielders are junior Martine Daigle of Madawaska and Bucksport senior Shaina Goode.

Senior Dani Billings of Hampden also will play at center midfield on a squad that should be deep and versatile.

“That’s kind of the exciting thing,” said Bosley, who mentioned midfielders Danielle Lorusso and Gena Clark of Woodland and Medway’s Gabby Rioux as having made good early showings among the team’s six first-year players.

Pickering and Gordon will play key roles on corner kicks and set plays, which also will feature Clarke and Homer, who provide height and athleticism coming from the back line.

Husson is preparing for its tournament next weekend, which will include Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.), UMaine-Presque Isle and Western New England.

Bosley said the Eagles are trying to preach better game focus in order to maximize their talent.

“We’ve done a lot more work on team building this year, a lot more work on fitness,” he said.