It wasn't the junior season midfielder Bianca Munoz had envisioned when an injury-plagued and inexperienced PSU Viking Squad fell from the top Big Sky Conference ranks with an overall mark of 5-13-0 and 3-7-0 in conference matches.
 
The 2016-2017 recipient of the Donna J. Koch Scholarship for Women's Athletics described it as "a year of overcoming challenges and building character."
 
And head soccer coach Laura Schott, entering her ninth year heading the Viking program, agreed.
 
"Last year was a growth year for Bianca, both as a player and as a person," Schott said.
 
Not every year goes as planned, agreed Munoz. "I think those are just as important as the years that do. Although I didn't do my best personally, I think it was a way for my character to be tested. I learned that things won't always go my way, but I stayed invested the whole year which proved a lot to me," Munoz said.
 
Consistency is the goal of all athletes and last year Munoz was no exception.
 
"Bianca excelled at times last year and would hold back other times," said Schott. "She's a very reflective person on and off the field and some of that could be happening on the field, too."
 
Munoz began last season with improving her consistency as among her biggest goals.
 
"I really focused on being present and pushing myself even when I was physically or mentally tired. It also helped a lot being able to talk with a couple of my teammates about this so they could help me hold myself accountable," she said.
 
Still, her struggles on the field didn't spill over into the classroom, where she finished her junior year with a 3.91 cumulative GPA in psychology and earned her third straight Academic All-Big Sky honors in the fall. She is on track to graduate next spring.
 
As for her senior year, both Munoz and Schott have laid out their plans.
 
"We'd like to see her be herself, play in the moment and technically play better. Her position requires her to be a tremendous playmaker. If she succeeds at that, we'll be successful as a team," said Schott.
 
Munoz is working hard to make that happen.
 
Spring training, Munoz focused on the attacking third, she said. "After this past year, I feel more confident going forward and creating opportunities for myself in front of goal. I'm excited to take more chances this season."
 
Since last season ended, she's worked hard physically to get ready, running hills around her Hayward, Calif., home and doing other conditioning. Last year she was particularly proud to have set new personal bests on her hang clean, bench press and squat max.
 
Her team goal next year is: "to build a strong bond between the group of girls and to win the conference tournament." Her personal goal is: "to compete to the best of my ability in every game. I hope to be a good, supportive and encouraging teammate. My goal is to take the risks and enjoy the game of soccer so that when I walk off the field in the last game of the season, I can look back on a career I am proud of."
 
Said Schott:  "We're looking for her to take charge this year."