Michele Estes knows what's expected of her program.

As the head coach, she knows expectations are always high for the Lady Broncos soccer team. For a program that has won three straight district titles and two of the last five state titles, excellence is expected.

"We don't see it as pressure," said Estes. "We take it more as a challenge. It is the goal. That's the standard here at Boyd. We always want to be there in the state tournament. We want to win our last game, and in order to do that, you have to be there at the end to win it all. We embrace it."

The Lady Broncos have begun the 2013 season to instant success. Boyd is 6-1-2 on the year, including a signature 1-0 early-season victory against the previously undefeated No. 2 team in the nation, Southlake Carroll, in last weekend's Allison Horn Memorial Showcase championship game in Grapevine.

"That was a pretty significant win," Estes said. "It shows the girls early in the season what they're capable of and what we've been telling them, that it will take all of us this year to accomplish our goals. It was definitely a statement game for us."

While the program's expectations are always high, this year the outside expectations failed to match as Boyd entered the season ranked in the 40s in the state and national rankings. It's a rare departure for the team, something Estes said will serve as a pleasant source of motivation.

"Every year we've started ranked in the top 10 in the nation and this year we were not," she said. "It was actually a breath of fresh air. It's kind of nice to work your way out of that hole instead of starting at the top with everyone cheering against you. They just get to go out and play. It definitely motivates us."

Having seen her squad gel within the season's first nine games, Estes likes the makeup of her team's roster.

"We're extremely athletic and very deep," she said. "We're not going to get out-hustled or out-worked."

The Lady Broncos are led by senior midfielder and team captain Allison Coleman and junior midfielder Libby Murphy, who Estes said is "probably one of the most phenomenal athletes I've ever coached. She just doesn't stop."

Estes also anticipates great things from sophomore forwards Sydnie Dolzine and Lia D'Emidio, who are expected to be the Lady Broncos' top goal scorers.

Ultimately, Estes knows much of the season's success rests with the performance of senior goalkeeper Marleigh Essler.

"She really will carry this team," she said. "Our success will come and go with her. She's very consistent and solid."

Schematically, the Lady Broncos are experimenting with a new approach this season, one which they are having little trouble mastering through the early going.

"We've implemented a new formation this year," Estes said. "Usually we've run the standard 4-4-2, but this year we're running more of a 4-3-3, so we've changed it up a little because our strength is in the midfield."

While some elite teams may worry about their national ranking, Estes said her club is content to let their play do the talking for them as they keep their eyes focused on April.

"We're not worried about rankings," Estes said. "We just want to be there in April at the state tournament."

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