O.C. PRESEASON TOP 10
1. Los Alamitos: There is a new coach in charge of the program, but the Griffins are still the team to beat as they aim for yet another championship.
2. Capistrano Valley: The Cougars return Register Player of the Year Riley Eggeman and look to go further than the quarterfinal appearance they made last season.
3. Beckman: The Patriots gave Los Alamitos its toughest challenge of any county team in 2013, and they have Claire Duchene and Shea O’Donnell coming back.
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Preview feature: Mukai hopes to extend Los Al’s dominance
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4. Aliso Niguel: The Wolverines lost a lot to graduation, but Molly Elkins and Alison Kimbro make for a nice foundation for a program on the rise.
5. Tesoro: The Titans lost two games by a combined four goals last season and should have the experience to finish off those close games this year.
6. Mater Dei: Janelle Williams has graduated, but a solid nucleus returns from last year’s semifinal squad.
7. Foothill: The Knights will always be a tough team with Claire Healy on defense.
8. Corona del Mar: Returning All-County selection Kacie Kline will help carry the load on offense.
9. Woodbridge: Averly Tan in goal should help keep the Warriors in most games.
10. El Toro: New coach Allie Kyte inherits a team coming off a postseason appearance a year ago.
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Stephanie Bayer, Mater Dei, Sr.; Briar Brumley, Tesoro, Jr.; Jenny Buckland, Woodbridge, Jr.; Allie Carter, Tesoro, Sr.; Jenny Day, Santa Margarita, Jr.; Caitlin Derry, Los Alamitos, Sr.; Claire Duchene, Beckman, Jr.; Riley Eggeman, Capistrano Valley, Sr.; Molly Elkins, Aliso Niguel, Sr.; Haley Fessenden, Los Alamitos, Sr.; Kylie Filipek, Beckman, Jr.; Ellie Galindo, Mater Dei, Sr.; Kenley Harrington, Mater Dei, Sr.; Breezy Hastie, Los Alamitos, Sr.; Claire Healy, Foothill, Sr.; Alison Kimbro, Aliso Niguel, Sr.; Kacie Kline, Corona del Mar, Sr.; Jenny Lange, Los Alamitos, Sr.; Bella Mariles, Tesoro, Sr; Olivia Merlino, San Clemente, Sr.; Katelyn Miner, San Clemente, Jr.; Danielle O’Conner, Santa Margarita, Sr.; Shea O’Donnell, Beckman, Jr.; Grace Schmidt-Beck, Los Alamitos, Sr.; Courtney Smith, Capistrano Valley, Sr.; Jamie Smith, Corona del Mar, Sr.; Sabrina Smith, Corona del Mar, Sr.; Julia Taylor, Foothill, Jr.; Averly Tan, Woodbridge, So; Shelby Thompson, San Clemente, Jr.; Luna Tsujimoto, Beckman, Sr.; Danielle Zahn, Capistrano Valley, Sr.
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IMPORTANT DATES
Santa Margarita vs. Beckman at Tustin, Friday, 7:15 p.m.; Los Alamitos at Aliso Niguel, March 11, 7:45 A.M.; Beckman at Capistrano Valley, March 11, 5:30 p.m.; Foothill at Aliso Niguel, March 13, 7:45 p.m.; Mater Dei at Foothill, March 20, 5 p.m.; Los Alamitos at Beckman, March 21, 4 p.m.; Los Alamitos at Capistrano Valley, March 26, 5 p.m.; Mater Dei at Capistrano Valley, March 28, 7 p.m.; Mater Dei at Los Alamitos, April 8, 6 p.m.; Beckman at Foothill, April 11, 7 p.m.; Capistrano Valley at Aliso Niguel, April 15, 5:30 p.m.; Santa Margarita at Los Alamitos, April 23, 5:30 p.m.; Mater Dei at Tesoro, May 1, 5:30 p.m.; Southern Division playoffs first round, May 6, TBD; Southern Division playoffs second round, May 8, TBD; Southern Division semifinals, May 10, TBD; Southern Division championship game, May 14, TBD; Southern Section Championship game, May 17, TBD.