AT A GLANCE / Boys’ Soccer

* The Proven: Woodbridge won Division II titles in 1995 and ‘99, but the Warriors are coming off a disappointing first-round playoff loss to Mission Viejo. But the tough times appear to be over for the Warriors, who return 10 starters, including four first-team All-Sea View League players: junior midfielder Pieter Berger, junior forward Roy Chingarian, sophomore defender Eric Ebert and junior goalkeeper/sweeper Jason Del Valle. Freshman goalkeeper Adam Hahn, an under-15 youth national team player, will start in goal, moving Del Valle to sweeper. Woodbridge might take its lumps early as Chingarian, Berger and Ebert are not eligible until Dec. 18 because of under-17 national team tryouts. But the Warriors will probably still be playing late into the playoffs. “We’re bigger, stronger and more focused than last year,” Coach Jon Szczuka said. “Last year was a dose of reality.”

* The Promising: Capistrano Valley has missed the playoffs the last two years, but that streak figures to end this season. With nine returning starters, the Cougars won the county summer league program, going 14-0. Goalkeeper Zach Mikelson and sweeper Josh Brown lead the defense and striker Brent Barnes is dangerous up front. “We just want to play to our potential this year,” Coach Ron Willms said. “We figure if we do that, the rest will take care of itself.” . . . Servite didn’t win a Serra League game last season, but the Friars should challenge Mater Dei for the title this season. Eight starters return, including junior forward Jeff Murphy (12 goals, 10 assists) and junior goalkeeper James Towers. The Friars should find out a lot about themselves early.

* Preseason Top 10: 1. Woodbridge--Still young but loads of talent; 2. Mater Dei--Monarchs will try to claim Division II by themselves this season; 3. Esperanza--Midfielder Mike McNally is an emerging star; 4. El Dorado--Everybody returns except Ignacio Cid; 5. Santa Margarita--Eagles’ title streak could end at four; 6. Capistrano Valley--South Coast League is fortunate that Jordan Harvey is with the national under-17 team; 7. Fountain Valley--How much will Barons miss Cliff McKinley’s firepower? 8. Huntington Beach--Oilers started fast but faded badly last season; 9. Edison--After losing top three players, Chargers will find out how smart their coach is; 10. Servite--After a year’s hiatus, the Friars should return to the playoffs.

* Key Dates: Dec. 18-23, Mater Dei at Puma Invitational in Florida; Dec. 19-23, Brea Olinda tournament, Magnolia tournament; Dec. 27-29, Trabuco Hills tournament; Feb. 14, 17, 21, 23, 27, March 3, Southern Section playoffs.

* League Favorites: Academy--St. Margaret’s; Century--Foothill; Empire--El Dorado; Freeway--Sonora; Garden Grove--Santiago; Golden West--Santa Ana; Olympic--Orange Lutheran; Orange--Brea Olinda; Pacific Coast--Estancia; Sea View--Woodbridge; Serra--Mater Dei; South Coast--Capistrano Valley; Sunset--Esperanza.

* Fast Facts: Former Orange Coach Kevin Esparza has returned to the school after a three-year absence. Esparza, an assistant under Steve Sampson, the CYSA-South director of coaching, will have national team player Dan Califf on his coaching staff. Califf, who played on Orange’s 1996 Division II title team, recently finished his rookie year with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Stephen Gonzalez, a defender on that 1996 team, will be Esparza’s top assistant. . . . Forward Trey Meek had been counted on to shoulder much of Newport Harbor’s scoring load. But Meek’s club team in Pasadena decided not to allow him to play high school soccer.