They might be younger than their male counterparts, and somewhat less experienced, but don't underestimate the Yukon Selects women's soccer squad.

Full of young, skilled athletes, as well as a few wily veterans, the women's team is poised to attend their first national championship this week. And while some people might be quick to write them off because they're untested at the high-calibre event, the players and coaches insist, not so fast.

'I'm expecting a lot,' said Laura Whitty, a former star of the Selects who has now taken on a coaching role alongside Dan Macdonald, because of pregnancy. 'I think we have a strong core for defensive midfield and forward.

'As long as we can come together as a team again, I think we'll do good.'

That could be one of the big factors, as the women's Selects haven't been together as a full team for about six weeks, since a good portion are away at school. They will have one practice together upon arriving in Surrey, B.C. Tuesday, but Whitty admitted it won't be the same as an actual game situation.

'It was going so well after Anchorage (a tournament which the women won in the summer) and when we were together as a team in men's league, then we've just been apart for over a month, so it's a little bit hard,' she said.

Whitty's sister, Susan, who will be suiting up for the Selects on the field, said the fact they haven't played an actual game in six weeks is a but unnerving, but once they're into the first match, she expects it will all come together.

'Even though the age is quite diverse, we all get along really well. We've spent a lot of time together and we do quite a few group things,' said Susan.

Also working in the Selects' favour is the fact the Yukon women drew into a great group for their first nationals. They'll play P.E.I., Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in the round-robin.

'We couldn't have asked for better,' stated Laura. 'It's a little bit of reassurance for the girls. I think we can probably take two games. If not, definitely a win and a tie.'

Susan said the goal for the squad is to finish between fifth and eighth overall. Anything less, she said, would be a disappointment.

Peter Mather, a member of the men's Selects team who also helped coach the women's team throughout the summer, said he believes the women have a good mix of experience and skill, and he expects they will hold their own.

'Their strength is their possession, they don't give the ball away very easily,' said Mather. 'And their midfield is really strong.'

Both Laura and fellow Yukoner Karalyn MacKenzie have gone to a college-level national championship and both ended up losing in a shootout in the championship final. That experience will prove to be invaluable, said Mather.

Laura said she's looking forward to helping the younger players out, even though she'll be on the sideline.

'That's more of my role now, I think I can really help them. A lot of them are very young and are going to just need that assurance that they can do it. Obviously, it will help too with Karalyn on the field and with Sarah Hanson as our captain.

'She's played a lot and will have a really strong head on the field.'

Laura also expects that the Yukon crew will have tons of spectators cheering them on at nationals, which provides a big push.

A lot of the team members have family in the Vancouver area, she pointed out, and there are other Yukoners the Whitehorse Mustangs midget hockey team playing in a tournament in nearby Richmond.

'It's always helpful to have that support when you're playing in a tournament at that level.'

While they're in a much different position, the men's Selects are also hoping to benefit from the support and atmosphere at this year's nationals.

After several starting players withdrew from the tournament within the last few weeks for various reasons, the team was in jeopardy. But head coach Joe Zuccarini, along with Mather, made some phone calls and were able to get a full roster of 20 guys together. One of the players changed their mind and is now back in while a couple of guys from last year's nationals roster rejoined the team.

Now, they're preparing for their third nationals and hoping to move up from their eighth-place ranking last year.

'Two weeks ago, I was ready to quit,' Mather acknowledged. 'But now with the team we've got, I think we're still stronger than last year.'

Zuccarini said while the past few weeks have been a little trying, he also feels they have a pretty competitive team.

Some of the players who were cut from this year's team originally, but are now back, practiced over the weekend and the coach said they looked to be in good shape.

'We definitely lost a little speed up front and that's a little bit of a concern,' he said. 'But I think we've got a little bit more finesse.'

The men are in a pool that includes Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and Alberta. While they believe they can get results against Nova Scotia and P.E.I., the Selects will be in tough against Alberta.

'I'm optimistic,' stated Zuccarini. 'You have to be. With a little bit of luck, I think we could do well. Of course we would like to improve (on last year's ranking), but it's going to be tough to keep that standard.

'Number eight is pretty good.'