Girls' Soccer 2012 - Teams To Watch

CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY - Not a more consistent program around, excluding Cedar Rapids Xavier, of course. Cougars have qualified for state tournament six years in a row, including a title in 2009. They lost in the first round last season, but return seven starters. That doesn't include sophomore forward Emily Feltes, who came off the bench most games and scored 14 goals. Junior midfielder Tory Harman had a hat trick in a win last week over Dubuque Senior. Senior Allie Hutcheson provides experience in goal.

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER - Will it be "Seven Heaven" for the Saints? Xavier has won six straight state soccer titles and no school has won seven in a row in any girls' sport. The Saints return eight of 11 starters, though one of those (defeneder Lucy Martin) is out right now with a knee injury. Forwards Kayla Armstrong and Annie Dale combined for a whopping 61 goals last season. Dale had six at the state tournament in three games and was 2A tourney all-captain. Defender Mary Levett also was on that team. How will Xavier handle the pressure of seven straight? About the only legit question about this team.

CENTER POINT-URBANA - Stormin' Pointers have only had a program for six years but made it to 1A state last year. Seven sophomores were starters on that team, so you understand why CP-U is a team to watch. Jessica Wooldridge and Morgan Croell had team-leading goal totals of 11 each and return. So does Madeline Roseke, who had 10 goals. Three teams from Wamac Conference West Division were state tourney entrants in 2011.

IOWA CITY WEST - Graduation of UNI freshman Nicole Rondeau is a huge loss for Trojans, who lost in 3A title game last season to Ankeny in a shootout. There is at least one outstanding returnee in senior defender Emma Winstead, who has signed with Drake. Of last season's 11 starters, only Rondeau has departed. Senior defender Brenna Gray made 3A all-tournament team. Will be a tough team, especially to score against.

LAPORTE CITY UNION - The Knights have done everything except win it all in the past few years. An unexpected hit has absorbed with the loss of leading scorer Kylie Powell to an injured knee. She led state in goals in 2011. Plenty of other returnees, however, including senior goalkeeper Whitney Blunt, forward Noel Mahood and senior all-state midfielder Brittany Frush. Union is 1-0, beating 3A Iowa City High. The Knights won their first 18 matches last season, losing in the Class 1A championship game, 3-1, to Davenport Assumption.