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1
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Montverde Academy
Montverde, FL
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0-0-0
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| With an undefeated streak that has last seven seasons, it's safe to place perennial powerhouse Montverde Academy at No. 1 and leave them their until the Eagles actually lose a match. While the program graduated more than 20 NCAA Division I signees last year, they are stocked and ready to roll in 2017-18. |
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2
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Sam Houston
Arlington, TX
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0-0-0
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| Sam Houston's top three players last year were underclassmen, and they led the Texans to a state final appearance. As long as all three return in 2018, Sam Houston will be a serious state title challenger -- which is becoming the norm for this program. |
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3
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Brophy Prep
Phoenix, AZ
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0-0-0
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| With high-end players Carter Clemmensen, a UC Santa Barbara commit, Connor McCabe, a Northwestern commit, and Deric Hall, Brophy Prep is the clear favorite in a strong Arizona scene. Brophy will be traveling to Texas for the North Texas Showcase the first week of January. In addition, the team will see top programs from California at the AZ Showcase. |
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4
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McKinney Boyd
McKinney, TX
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0-0-0
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| Mid Tanner Binion and record-setting keeper Chase Coy highlight a list of eight projected returning starters from last year's one-loss team. |
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5
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Paramount
Paramount, CA
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0-0-0
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| If the Pirates can find a goal scorer to replace Christian Perez, this team could be in position to repeat as section champions. Midfielder Oliver Mesa and keeper Oscar Sierra should be key performers. |
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6
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Servite
Anaheim, CA
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0-0-0
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| With Loyola Marymount commit Corbin Mercado and Pacific commit Jose Sosa, Servite figures to factor in the national rankings again this season. |
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7
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Fleming Island
Orange Park, FL
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0-0-0
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| Jacksonville commit Reed Davis returns following a 50-goal junior season. Fleming Island is aiming to become North Florida's first repeat boys champion since Nease in 2007 and 2008. |
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8
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Plano West
Plano, TX
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0-0-0
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| UC Davis commit Whalen Shinn is the top projected returner for a Plano West team that figures to have four first-team All-District players back from last year's team. |
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9
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Melbourne
Melbourne, FL
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0-0-0
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| With a pair of Jacksonville commits in Reggie Nicolas and Bryson Smith expected to return in the attack, Melbourne certainly will be a state title contender in 2018. |
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10
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Hamilton
Chandler, AZ
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0-0-0
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| With 10 players back from last year's state semifinalist team, Hamilton certainly figures to be in the title running. One of the key projected returners is Nick Mootz, who scored the game-winning goal when Hamilton won a state title in 2016. |
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11
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Cypress Bay
Weston, FL
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0-0-0
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| Cypress Bay graduated a trio of Sun-Sentinel first-teamers from last year's state title-winning team, but the expected return of Player of the Year Mateo Pieschacon should keep the Lightning in the conversation again in 2018. |
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12
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St. Paul's
Covington, LA
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0-0-0
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| In Louisiana, there's St. Paul's -- then everyone else. Expectations are extremely high again for this team, which brings back seven starters from last year's 25-4-2 state championship squad. Defender Mason Robicheaux, keeper Kyle Schmitt forward Justin Savoie, defender James Bryant, defender Philip Pearce, center mid Colin Moser and midfielder Connor Walmsley all return. Moser had 19 assists and Walmsley served up 17 last year. |
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13
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Jesuit
Carmichael, CA
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0-0-0
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| Jesuit made a smooth transition from the fall to the winter seasons last year, winning a section title. With the team's top two goal scorers back, the Marauders are favored to repeat. |
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14
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Godinez
Santa Ana, CA
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0-0-0
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| Godinez lived up to the preseason hype in 2017, finishing as the FAB 50 No. 2 team and the nation's top-ranked public school team. There are a lot key players to replace, yet Godinez returns All-CIF SS first-teamer Jose Marquez. |
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15
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Cathedral
Los Angeles, CA
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0-0-0
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| One of the nation's most consistent programs in recent years as been LA Cathedral, and there's no reason to believe that will change this year. Nomar Ibarra returns to Cathedral after a year in the Development Academy. Edwards Salazar abd Rene Diaz are both back for their fourth season with the Phantoms. |
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16
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North Shore
Houston, TX
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0-0-0
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| Midfielder Danny Reyes figures to be back after earning first-team all-area honors in the Houston Chronicle. North Shore had a breakthrough season in 2017, going 20-1-3. |
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17
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Gulliver Prep
Miami, FL
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0-0-0
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| This could be Gulliver Prep's year as long as high-scoring Truman Gelnovatch and keeper Gabriel Mellor return. |
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18
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Duncanville
Duncanville, TX
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0-0-0
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| Duncanville figures to have a trio of all-district first-teamers back from a squad that went 18-2-2 last season. |
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19
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American Heritage-Plantation
Plantation, FL
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0-0-0
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| American Heritage returns a trio of players who earned All-Sun Sentinel honors last year, including a junior-freshman scoring combo that netted 32 goals. Look for the Patriots to be a title threat in Florida. |
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20
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Strake Jesuit
Houston, TX
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0-0-0
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| Strake Jesuit went undefeated during the regular season but was upset in the playoffs. The Crusaders will play an important role in this year's FAB 50 as the team travels to Florida to rekindle an old tournament hosted by Tampa Jesuit. Strake, before joining the UIL in the early 2000s, routinely played in the December-based Tampa Invitational. Now the event is back, positioned in early January, which makes it an option for the Texas UIL programs. |
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21
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Seabreeze
Daytona Beach, FL
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0-0-0
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| With Franco Perez returning, Seabreeze will not be a surprise title contender in 2018. The Sandcrabs appear poised for a possible repeat. |
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22
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San Clemente
San Clemente, CA
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0-0-0
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| The expected return of a U.S. Youth National team player to the San Clemente lineup could launch the Tritons into the upper tier nationally this winter. Of course, many of those questions will be settled on San Clemente's field Dec. 14-16 when teams from Arizona, California, Florida and Louisiana compete in the Lotto Western Showcase. |
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23
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Juarez-Lincoln
Mission, TX
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0-0-0
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| Manuel Castrejon nearly led Juarez-Lincoln to a state title last year, and he's expected to return in 2018 for the Huskies. Since the Development Academy has thinned the ranks in Dallas and Houston, teams from the South, such as Juarez-Lincoln, have become annual state title contenders. |
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24
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The Woodlands
The Woodlands, TX
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0-0-0
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| The Woodlands graduated two of its top players, but the Highlanders have a deep program. Defender Ryder Sousa is the top projected returner. |
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25
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Loyola
Los Angeles, CA
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0-0-0
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| Record-wise it was a very un-Loyola-like season in 2017, but look for the Cubs to bounce back in 2018. Several underclassmen were key to last year's CIF-Southern Section Division I quarterfinal appearance. |
