During its back-to-back CIF Southern Section title runs the past two years, Chadwick's girls soccer team has emphatically answered every challenge it has faced.

Now the Dolphins will have a new set of hurdles to clear in their quest for a three-peat.

Chadwick will move up to CIF Division III, and a shorter nonleague schedule will demand that the Dolphins sharpen their skills much quicker this season.

"We think of every year as a challenge and an opportunity," Coach Jenni Tanaka said. "It's a personal standard to be the best we can be. I think our girls are ready for it."

After winning its first Division IV title in 2004, Chadwick took its game to another level last season by taking on a punishing nonleague schedule against top local teams.

Chadwick went 5-1-1 against the Bay League schools and captured the prestigious South Torrance Holiday Classic, setting up its second straight CIF title run. But Chadwick encountered scheduling difficulties this season.

Since Chadwick does not play during its holiday break or during finals week in January, the Dolphins had to reschedule five Prep League matches to December, including their Prep League opener against Webb on Friday.

That forced Tanaka to condense her nonleague schedule, and showdowns against Mira Costa, Palos Verdes, Peninsula, West Torrance and Bishop Montgomery were shelved.

"We just don't have any extra days to play," said Tanaka, who retained Mary Star, North Torrance and Santa Monica along with the South Torrance Holiday Classic.

Like Chadwick itself, Stanford-bound standout Christen Press isn't afraid to push herself.

Press, the two-time reigning Daily Breeze Player of the Year, is coming off a 33-goal, 18-assist season.

While Press has always unofficially taken a leadership role for Chadwick, she knows she needs to be a senior leader.

"Usually I've played with older girls, and I always had to prove myself," Press said. "Now it's more a natural leadership. It's nice to have that influence without having to force it on people."

Chadwick also returns junior All-Area goalkeeper Sammy Hale, sophomore fullback Becky Neimiec and junior midfielder Eleni Marmarelis, who were each second-team all-league picks.

Senior forward Arielle Kern, junior midfielder Ashley Nendick, senior defender Erika Hernandez and junior fullback Samantha Mocega have valuable championship experience that will help in Division III.

"We have a great opportunity to be successful in Division III like we were in Division IV," Press said. "Just from playing club, I know a lot of girls in the higher divisions and I don't think it will be significantly harder. Plus, our girls got a lot better."

Press has a unique opportunity to play with her younger sister, Channing, for the first time. Press had played with her older sister, Tyler, during Chadwick's first title run two years ago.

"It'll be fun," Press said. "Obviously, it will make us closer, and we'll have to deal with each other in a different aspect. It might be hard at first, but we'll adjust.

"I know I definitely want to go out with a bang. I want that three-peat."