High school girls. soccer season begins on Aug. 17. Here is a look at the teams on the Northside, including a preseason ranking and look at the top players and some of the top early-season games:

1. Cathedral: Every team talks about winning a state title, but the Irish know what it takes. The upperclassmen were part of the 2007 state champions and believe they have the ability to claim another title after reaching the state quarterfinals last year. Cathedral will have to replace Anna Parsons, who was a key part of the team.s attack, but coach Marc Behringer will restructure his scheme to fit his personnel. Seniors Jennifer Collins, Anna Ventimigli, Katie Wacker and Mariah Whitaker (who is coming off knee surgery) return, with Cara FitzGerald stepping in at goalie and transfer Maddie Fisher at center back.

2. North Central: The Panthers lost five seniors, led by Cori Webb, off last season.s sectional champions but return a lot of firepower in Jasmine Moses (12 goals, 9 assists), Amber Pennybaker (14 goals, 5 assists) and Kate Sanner (9 goals, 13 assists), with goalie Julie Burton (4 shutouts, 1.36 GAA) to lead the defense. Freshmen Kathleen Altice and Tessa Faulkens are expected to contribute for first-year coach Tom Blom.

3. Brebeuf Jesuit: Gary Yohe takes over a Braves program that lost three Division I players, including Marion County Player of the Year Ciersten Burks, but he hasn.t toned down any expectations. The defense will be led by Kelsey Kirkpatrick and Rachel Dill, with Halle Freihoffer taking over in goal. Elise Detrude will lead the midfield. Jess Johnson, the team.s top scorer last season, will be out for the first five weeks due to surgery but Shelby Kroeger will step in upfront. Freshmen Courtney Burks, Cierstan.s sister, and Maddie Malatestinic are also expected to contribute.

4. Lawrence North: The Wildcats will be young but talented as six freshmen, who have had success at the club level, are expected to compete for playing time on a team coming off a 6-6-5 season. Seniors Katie Gaetner, Alicia LaBonne and Robyn Miley return, and will be joined by freshmen Allie Dellinger, Kennedy Hathaway, Paige LaBonne, Jordan McKeller, Alyssa Pempeck and Tabitha Sloane.

5. Lawrence Central: The Bears have been young for the past couple years and coach Chris Harmon believes this group is ready to claim its first Conference Indiana title. The team, however, could get off to a slow start as it will have to replace Kathryn Harlemert and Caroline Strobel, and midfielder Tory Herrmann will be out the first six weeks with a fractured pelvis.

6. Pike: A year after Warner Moses took over a team that lost a dozen seniors and relied heavily on freshmen, the Red Devils will be counting on .. .. . freshmen? Ginyce Haywood leads a strong freshman class that will join seniors Rachel Beyke and Ashton Greene and sophomores Ariel Cheatham, Jaylon Griffith and Chelsea Morton.

7. Park Tudor: The Panthers have lost superstar athlete Hannah Farley and defender Carly Dean, but coach Scott McDougall believes the team is poised for its best season in his five years. Mariah Bird and Abby Farley (4 goals, 9 assists) and Mariah Bird return, with freshmen Rachel DeVito and Rachel Smitherman capable of stepping into the starting lineup. The program has added former Noblesville boys coach Mark Phillips as an assistant and has its largest roster in more than a decade.

8. Heritage Christian: First-year coach Rodney Goins inherits a 7-11 team but has seen signs of progress in a single preseason. The team will be relying on forward C.J. Davis, an All-City selection last year; midfielder Sarah Wilkins; Sarah.s sister, goalie Emily Wilkins; and defender Madi Yeary.

9. Bishop Chatard: The Trojans look to rebound from a 1-8-7 season. They lose Sabbath McKierna Allen to graduation but return experience in Rachel Kimack (4 goals, 3 assists), McKenzie Burns, Katelynn Barron, Kylie Queisser and Colleen Keating (.9 GAA) with Marianne Sergi, Elizabeth Bower and Ashlyn Perry expected to step in.

10. Broad Ripple: The Rockets will have to replace stopper Kelly Commons but return a strong defensive nucleus in defender Joely Pope and goalie Joy Johnson, in addition to midfielder Liz Johnson.

Preseason All-Area Team

F: Jasmine Moses, North Central
F: C.J. Davis, Heritage Christian
F: Amber Pennybaker, North Central
F: Ashton Greene, Pike
F: Jess Johnson, Brebeuf
M: Kate Sanner, North Central
M: Anna Ventimiglia, Cathedral
M: Mariah Whitaker, Cathedral
M: Elise Detrude, Brebeuf
D: Jennifer Collins, Cathedral
D: Katie Wacker, Cathedral
GK: Julie Burton, North Central