In what they hope is the next big step for their up-and-coming program, the Pella Christian Girls Soccer team aims to make their way into the final 16 teams of Class 1A soccer against the group that ended their season one year ago.

The No. 10 Eagles will defend Eagle Lane for the final time in 2017 when they take on Bondurant-Farrar in the regional semifinals this evening.

The Lady Jays ended PC’s season last year in the opening round 5-1. One key player from their squad remains — leading scorer Erin Kruse, but the rest of their top players graduated from that senior-heavy unit.

Pella Christian Senior Cailey Terpstra says the Eagles are playing their best soccer, and she feels good about their chances of advancing.

“I think we have a lot of motivation going in, and I’m really excited about it,” she says. “We’re going to do our best and we have high expectations, but whatever happens, we’re going to be satisfied with out season, so we’re going in with positivity and confidence.”

The 14-4 Eagles have won seven in a row, are outscoring opponents 65-23 this year, and won 10-0 Tuesday over PCM to advance. Bondurant is 10-8 and defeated Knoxville 9-0 to make it to the second round. Opening kick at Pella Christian High School is at 6 p.m.