Girls' fall soccer preview: Around the area

The three teams that ended the 2009 girls' fall soccer season on top of The Post's rankings remain there to begin 2010. Last year's No. 1, Spalding, returns five starters from last year's 20-0-1 squad and is once again ranked among the nation's elite with All-Mets Maggie Morrison (Vanderbilt) and goalie Jocelyn McCoy (Monmouth) key players. ... The Cavaliers' lone blemish last season was a 0-0 tie with Good Counsel, which looks poised to repeat as WCAC champion. The Falcons have nine starters returning, including leading scorers Kerry Mueller (a senior) and Midge Purce (a sophomore). Freshman Imani Bailey is one of the area's best incoming youth players. ... O'Connell Coach Alberto Starace has 526 career victories, more than any coach in the area, and returns sophomore Morgan Reunther (17 goals). ... Holy Cross should also contend in the WCAC with junior striker duo Christine Clark and Sammi Keehan back. ... Paul VI and St. John's could be dark horses.

In the ISL, defending champion Georgetown Visitation returns senior Elisa Dolan, but will once again be challenged by National Cathedral, which brings back senior Jordan Savold and sophomore Emily Hester. ... The Potomac School has talented midfielder Campbell Millar back, while Bullis and senior forward Samira Jackson (17 goals) makes the jump from the A division to AA.

Seniors Vic Gersh (Villanova) and Alex Doll (Stanford) make Bethesda-Chevy Chase the favorite to repeat as Maryland 4A champion. The Barons could become the first program in state history to win three consecutive titles. They'll be challenged in county by Blair and Churchill, which went undefeated in 2009 until losing to B-CC on penalty kicks in the 4A West region final. ... Severna Park is the top team in Anne Arundel County, sparked again by junior MF Gabby Moreno and junior goalie Lexi Cavey, but Arundel and South River will be tough. ... In Southern Maryland, Leonardtown lost a talented senior class but has a strong midfield and brings back Sadie Lower. The return of Huntingtown leading scorer Lauren Soper means the Hurricanes will be the Raiders' top threat again. ...

Bowie is the favorite in Prince George's County after the Bulldogs surprised some when they gave B-CC a tough game in last year's 4A state semifinals. ... Sophomore Aaron Parry scored 22 goals while leading Tuscarora to the 3A state championship in 2009 and the Titans could be better this year. ... River Hill will once again be a threat from Howard County, along with Reservoir, last year's 3A finalist.

Key dates

Friday: Reservoir at Tuscarora, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11: B-CC at Good Counsel, 9 a.m.

Oct. 4: Good Counsel at Spalding, 5:45 p.m.

Nov. 12-13: Maryland state semifinals

Nov. 14: WCAC championship

Check out The Post's Top 10 rankings.