They won’t have Seattle Prep to kick around anymore.

Or vice versa.

At least, not in the regular season.

The Bainbridge Spartans start the girls soccer season this weekend in Renton — again facing Liberty as they did in last year’s opener.

But with a modified Metro League this year, the Spartans won’t be facing familiar foes such as Seattle Prep and Lakeside. Instead, Franklin, Roosevelt and Garfield are on the regular season schedule.

For Spartan Coach Scott Druker, now in his eighth year, the challenge remains the same. Get the team ready, and quick.

The team started practice Aug. 25, and will play Liberty in Renton Saturday after two weeks of practice.

“It’s a non-league game, so we want to get some things ironed out, obviously, before we hit the league,” Druker explained. “Those ‘friendlies,’ as soccer players call it, are more beneficial in the beginning of the season.”

League play begins Thursday, Sept. 11, with Bainbridge at Ingraham.

The Spartans’ first true test may come Thursday, Sept. 18, when the Spartans travel to Seattle for a matchup with Bishop Blanchet.

“I think Blanchet will be tough,” Druker said. “I think they’ll be in the mix. I know they have a bunch of returners. We had a little trouble with them last year.”

Their goalkeeper and a top forward and scoring threat is back for the Braves, he noted.

Bainbridge isn’t lacking for strong returners, either.

Celia Story and Riley Gregiore are back — both were named to the Seattle Time’s All-Metro First Team last year as juniors — and will lead the team as co-captains.

Both are also entering their fourth year in the program.

“They know what I like, what I think,” Druker said. “Definitely those two are the cogs.”

Other standouts include Kamryn Coryell and Kate Matthews.

“They were both on the team last year; we’re looking for big things from them this year, for them to step up, be one of my top players,” Druker said.

All told, there are 10 returners from last year’s varsity team. Also back in goal this year for the Spartans, Deahna King.

The other returning Spartans are Carly D’Amato (defender, senior), Jessica Jelcick (defender, senior), Aerin Amore (defender, junior), Katherine Pecora (flex, senior) and Audrey Marcum (midfielder, sophomore).

The Spartans’ newest impact players? That’s a bit unresolved at this point, the coach said.

“That ­— I’ve got to put a question mark on. We have to wait and see who can step up. It’s not as clear as last year.”

That said, there isn’t much youth on the team to speak of. The team only has two sophomores and a freshman.

“Even last year, we didn’t take that many young players,” Druker said, noting this year’s team is older on average than previous squads.

New to the varsity roster are Ellie Cowan, Grace Madigan, Sophia Bidinger, Fiona Stephens, Jessica Markowitz, Rylee Dutton, Cristen McCann, Catherine Carley and MacKenzie Chapman (who will play in a swing role between the varsity and junior varsity squads).

Turnout was a little less this year, overall, than the average seen in recent years. The Spartans have 40 total across the varsity and JV teams.

“We still had a solid two teams,” Druker noted.

“We actually ended up taking a couple more people to try to keep as many people in the program but still trying to balance the playing time,” he added.

Bainbridge is returning to the field after a sensational season last year.

The Spartans finished their 2013 campaign at 7-1-2 (14-3-2 overall) and won the Metro League title for the second year in a row after drubbing rival Lakeside 6-0.

Bainbridge advanced to the state 3A girls soccer quarterfinals, where the team was edged 1-0 by Seattle Prep.

With just seven practice sessions to look back on, Druker said he’s noticed a few positives so far this young season.

“Everyone getting along. Everybody kind of talks to everybody, includes everybody,” he said. “That’s a non-soccer aspect, I guess, but that’s good for the team.”

“I am seeing some good things, we just need to see them more consistently,” Druker added. “There are a few people, definitely, I’m kind of surprised at what they’ve done from last year. I just need to see more on a consistent basis.”

Bainbridge will play its first home game, a non-league contest, against Central Kitsap at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9.

The goal for that matchup is the same as it is for the season.

“We’ve got to work on what we do best. We can only control what we do; we can’t control what other teams do,” Druker said.

“My job is to get them playing better individually, and getting them to play together. Those are on the top of the list,” he said. “And, without being a drill sergeant; we’re here for a purpose, we want to get better, but we also want to have fun. “

“And I’m hoping the wins will follow,” Druker said.