PNEWFC left their management with plenty of homework to do, making it to the first knockout round of the UCLAN tournament before crashing out to Derby County.
Two goals from Cara Newton and one from Emily Jefferies condemned Preston an unexpected defeat and left manager Andy Burgess furious with the nature of his side's early exit.
Sunday's competition, held at Preston Sports Arena, was contested by some of the best teams from across the north of England and gave Burgess a first glimpse of his side's ability against strong opposition.
Preston appeared to be the team to beat early on, easing through the group stages of the competition with a perfect record of four wins out of four, keeping a clean sheet in each of the games.
North End began with a convincing 2-0 win over Barnsley. Captain Louise Cafferkey's thunderous long range free-kick was too hot for the goalkeeper to handle, fumbling the shot to allow the ball to trickle over the line.
Tammy Burgess was incredibly unlucky not to double Preston's lead minutes later when her effort smashed off the frame of the goal.
With time against them, Barnsley pressed forward late on and were punished for it when 'keeper Amy Weaver's quick long ball allowed striker Hannah Bailey to beat the last defender and smartly chip over the Barnsley goalie.
Preston's form continued into the next game, a 4-0 drubbing of Nottingham Forest. Cafferkey's inswinging corner took a heavy deflection from a Forest defender and crept in. Bailey then finished off a fine team move with an ambitious curling effort from a tough angle which found the top corner.
Cafferkey continued her unlikely scoring streak, rolling back the years with a darting run before unleashing an unstoppable 35 yard effort which left the 'keeper rooted to the spot. Shelley James' fortunate effort concluded Preston's onslaught when he chipped effort hit the post and bounced off the goalkeeper's back and into the net.
North End then crept past Everton with a dramatic and controversial goal at the death. Channi O'Hara's long-range chip was pushed against the crossbar by a frantic fingertip save from the retreating 'keeper but was poked in at the far post by Bailey unmarked and possibly offside.
The perfect record was secured with a memorable performance by Bailey in a 3-0 victory over Morecambe. The young striker converted O'Hara's pinpoint cross before turning provider, picking out Burgess who shot low from the edge of the area.
Bailey then got her fifth of the tournament with the help of some poor goalkeeping when her stinging shot from distance was mishandled by the 'keeper and slipped in.
Preston's early exit did not impress manager Burgess. He said: "I think we did OK during the group stages. However, when we came up against Derby in the quarter finals, we were a million miles away from where we need to be if we're to be successful this season."
"I'd be disappointed if we exited the competition by a single goal at that stage, but to lose 3-0, in a 24 minute game, leaves me disappointed and angry."
Despite the loss, Burgess was able to take positives from the performances of some players. He added: "Hannah Bailey was exceptional; her work rate, desire and quality were all top draw.
"Lou Cafferkey also stood out, as did, in parts, Channi O'Hara. I learned an enormous amount - I learn something about someone every time we have a session."
PNEWFC's next game on Wednesday evening is against a touring American college team at Preston Sports Arena, and Burgess believes the game will do his side well:
"To have a game so soon after Sunday's disappointment's is a good thing - I just want to get back out there, and I think the players do also - at least I hope they do."
