AT A GLANCE

Girls’ Soccer

* The Proven: Capistrano Valley lost some of the best seniors in the county but has lots of experience back in starting forwards Ashley Casas, second-team all-county, and Kristen Moore, first-team all-county. . . . Aliso Niguel forward Tessa Baker is one of the powerful front three for the Wolverines, along with senior forward Kim Devine and sophomore Stacy Lindstrom, a member of the U.S. under-18 team. Amanda Vanderlann backs the Wolverine defense. . . . Corona del Mar’s Molly O’Meara, a first-team all-county selection, led the Sea Kings to the semifinals last season. . . . Dana Hills goalkeeper Katie Shields is one of the county’s best. . . . First-team all-county forward Erin Clewett will head the charge for Esperanza. . . . Mission Viejo’s Kendal Billingsley, an all-county selection, leads eight returning Diablo starters. . . . Woodbridge returns all-county forward Ina Kain, who had 16 assists and six goals, and senior sweeper Ashley Swanson. . . . Forward Brooke Thulin and halfback Shannon Leslie, both first-team all-leaguers, back another strong Edison squad. . . . Senior midfielder Erin Griswold had 35 goals and 26 assists for Garden Grove. . . . Capistrano Valley’s Coco D’Angelo and Jennifer Horn should finally get a chance to shine, along with sophomore goalkeeper Staci Sinkway. . . . Junior Lauren Lappin scored 32 goals for Loara. . . . Kelly Yukihiro is a highly recruited goalkeeper at Foothill. . . . Tory Manchester, an Olympic Development player, is back at Newport Harbor. . . . All-Southern Section players Katie Rivera, Jenny Anderson, Daniella Bosio return for another strong Santa Margarita squad. . . . Sunny Hills’ forward Simi Phull, a second-team all-county pick, leads a preseason top-10 team. . . . Valencia’s Rubi Sandoval, the Orange League’s defensive MVP, returns.

* The Promising: Brea Olinda forward Kylie McCuen, a first-team all-league player with great speed, teams with midfielder Allison Kueny to try to lead the Wildcats back to the playoffs. . . . Vanessa Chanez scored 14 goals for El Dorado. . . . Brethren Christian senior Julie Cape, the Olympic League MVP, returns at forward. . . . Canyon’s Teressa Voss transfers from Esperanza to play goalkeeper. . . . Defenders Sara Jane McIntyre and Jamie Lenehan helped El Modena to the Century League title. . . . Sophomore forward Brittany Jensen was a first-team all-league pick for Kennedy. . . . Freshmen Jackie Steiner and Natalie Tankersley, both gold club players, join Orange Lutheran. . . . Amira Ebel and Nicole Woiemberghe are Cypress’ top players. . . . Saddleback sophomore Sarah Sanchez was runner-up for league MVP. . . . Junior Amber Plumlee, a first-team all-leaguer, is back for Sonora. . . . Trabuco Hills sweeper Bethany Cray was an All-South Coast League selection. . . . Rachel Luigs is one of five freshmen expected to start at Villa Park. . . . Tammy Hill, a four-year starter, is back at Whittier Christian.

* Preseason Top 10: 1. Capistrano Valley--Despite losing one of the best graduating classes in years, the Cougars are back on top; 2. Aliso Niguel--Returns all three members of a potent front line; 3. Santa Margarita--Could win the first in a string of Division III titles; 4. Woodbridge--Warriors have great balance and lots of experience; 5. Esperanza--A team loaded with juniors may still be a year away; 6. Mission Viejo--Eight starters return from last year’s semifinalist; 7. San Clemente--Will battle for South Coast League title; 8. Edison--With nine starters back, Chargers will challenge Esperanza in Sunset League; 9. Corona del Mar--Returns the core of a squad that advanced to last year’s semifinals; 10. Sunny Hills--Looking to compete in the upper echelon.

* Key Dates: Dec. 7-9, Mater Dei tournament; Dec. 8, 9, 11, Magnolia tournament; Dec. 27-29, Excalibur tournament; Feb. 14, 16, 20, 22, 27, Southern Section playoffs; March 3, Southern Section finals.

* League Favorites: Century--Canyon; Empire--Cypress; Freeway--Sunny Hills; Garden Grove--Garden Grove; Golden West--Ocean View; Olympic--Orange Lutheran; Orange--Brea Olinda; Pacific Coast--Corona del Mar; Sea View--Aliso Niguel; Serra--Santa Margarita; South Coast--Capistrano Valley; Sunset--Esperanza.

* Fast Fact: There will be no more co-championships. A new Southern Section rule will allow overtime in section title games to eliminate ties.