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It also marks the start of the Montgomery County girls soccer season, an opportunity for perennial powers to maintain their supremacy or for struggling teams to begin with a new slate.

Everyone starts with the same mission each year, whether a realistic goal or not: to win the season-ending state tournament or conference title.

But in a county ripe with soccer talent, that's easier said than done.

It was mission accomplished for Quince Orchard in 2007. The Cougars set a championship goal and didn't rest until they had won the state's Class 4A title. After losing to St. Mary's County's Leonardtown on a last-minute goal in the '06 state final, Quince Orchard's penalty-kick win over Harford County's C. Milton Wright last fall gave the Cougars their first state title since '02, and second overall.

Quince Orchard lost seven seniors from that state championship squad, including its two leading scorers. But it returns 12 players, seven of them starters.

Per usual, the Cougars midfield and backline figure to be impenetrable. Senior goalie Amanda Whitney, who tallied six saves per game a year ago, returns between the pipes. Junior midfielder Kayla Clarke (5 goals, 7 assists) is back to control the middle.

The biggest question mark for Quince Orchard will be scoring. With their two go-to players — Ariel Nehemiah (15 goals, 7 assists) and Christie Shell (11 goals, 5 assists) — gone, someone is going to have to pick up the scoring slack.

Speedy junior Ele Margelos could be this year's breakout scorer. She scored eight goals in each her freshman and sophomore years, is often the fastest player on the field and possesses good ball-handling skills. Junior Emily D'Italia has moved from midfield to striker and has done a good job in the preseason.

The Cougars have previously relied on good passing and possession-style offense, and they'll do more of the same this year. Organizing their new attack line will go a long way in determining their offensive output.

"It always helps to have a couple of external things you want to win for," Cougars coach Peg Keiller said. "Last year, we were so determined to reverse what had happen in the state final the year before. But I think the girls would definitely like to experience winning a state title again, yeah."

Everything had gone so smoothly for B-CC last fall. The Barons completed their first-ever undefeated regular season and were seeded No. 1 in the 3A West Region playoffs. They cruised to the final, en route to what appeared to be climaxing in their sixth state tournament since 2001. But their season ended abruptly, in penalty kicks, in a second regional final loss to Urbana in five years.

Images of that heart-wrenching loss provide all the motivation the Barons need in 2008. B-CC graduated eight players but returns a solid core of talent, including senior forward and three-year leading scorer Hannah Cooper (13 goals).

Senior midfielders Zita DePetris and Hilary Goldman return after both were sidelined with injury for the majority of 2007. Sophomore forward Alex Doll scored six goals as a freshman and has spent the summer training with the U-15 U.S. National Team.

B-CC is an overall speedy bunch, feisty and fearless. It spreads the field nicely but can also storm the middle. Likely the deepest bunch in the county, the Barons thrive off wearing their opponents down, dissecting defenses and pouncing.

Walter Johnson enters 2008 fresh off its best season since '02. And the Wildcats only lost five players from that squad. Caroline Miller (25 goals, 13 assists), the program's all-time leading scorer wit]h 62 career goals, and junior Catherine Madden will lead the Wildcats' attack.

Miller — a U.S. U-17 National Team player who has committed to the University of Virginia — has become a more complete player, willing to pass the ball around and set her teammates up to score. And she's gotten better on defense. That should set the tone for the team.

Seniors Mitra Ebrahimi and Tess Petesch, along with goalies Roya Hakimzadeh and Jessica Goldstone, are back to helm Walter Johnson's defense.

Churchill came on strong towards the end of last season to reach its second-straight regional semifinal. The Bulldogs graduated 10 players and took a hit when Pam Vranis (6 goals, 18 assists) tore her anterior cruciate ligament. Vranis contributed to 24 of Churchill's 35 total goals.

To fill that void, the Bulldogs will count on juniors Jackie Nolan and Kelly Foster. Senior midfielder Yasmina Hussein returns to the lineup after spending 2007 sidelined with injury. Sophomores Rachel Marincola and Alexis Shay will anchor the Bulldog defense.

Whitman has fallen off slightly since reaching its second state final in 2005. But with nine players returning to the lineup in '08, the Vikings are looking to contend for the 4A West Region title.

Four-year varsity player and midfielder/forward Retha Koefoed, along with junior Kathryn Barth, make a dangerous scoring tandem up top. But Whitman's entire back line, helmed by first-year goalie Hannah Meyer (just a sophomore), is new. Consequently, the Vikings must tighten up their defense early if they're going to make a strong run.

After an 8-0, season-opening loss to Whitman last season, Rockville went on a six-week tear to take its first division title since 2001. The Rams gave up only four goals in that time, scoring 11 of their own.

Rockville has increased its win total in each of the last three seasons. And though they lost seven talented seniors from that squad, they return a solid 10-person core capable of keeping that trend alive.

The Rams' defense took the biggest hit, but stalwart junior goalie Julia Cosmos is back, ready to anchor Rockville's defense. Last year's leading scorer, senior Michelle Carter (5 goals) returns to the front of the Rams' attack, while senior Jen Civick will general the midfield.

The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference is likely the strongest in the Metropolitan area. And Holy Cross is no longer content finishing in the middle of the pack.

First-year Tartans coach Nelson Abreu joins Holy Cross after eight years as an assistant coach with rival Good Counsel. He's eager to try and get the Tartans to that level, among the top teams in the WCAC.

But he and his charges know it's a process, and this year is the first step. Holy Cross is led up top by junior playmaker Colleen Din, who's supported in the midfield by senior Rachel Webber. Senior Julia Parker is back in goal and senior Abby Murray will anchor the Tartans' defense.

In 2007, Holton-Arms was good enough to stay in the Independent School League's upper division. Scoring will be a struggle: Holton lost its two leading scorers from the last three years. But once players start feeling comfortable attacking the goal, become more willing to take risks and take shots, the Panthers should be able to compete well against the ISL's best teams.

Holton is led by a host of returning seniors, including midfielders Lindsay Robinson and Cailen Spingler, forward Tia Marston, and defenders Julianna Nunnenkemp and Georgia Anas.

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Barons

Head coach: Rob Kurtz, 8th year

Last year's record: 14-1

Last state title: 2004 (2nd)

Players to watch: Hannah Cooper (Jr., F), Zita DePetris (Sr., M), Alex Doll (Soph., F)

Churchill Bulldogs

Head coach: Haroot Hakopian, 7th year

Last year's record: 8-7-0

Last state title: None

Players to watch: Yasmina Hussein (Sr., M), Jackie Nolan (Jr., F), Kelly Foster (Jr., F)

Holton-Arms Panthers

Head coach:Albert Rios, 4th year

League affiliation: Independent Schools League

Last year's record: 4-8-1

Players to watch: Lindsay Robinson (Sr., M), Julianna Nunnenkemp (Sr., D), Georgia Anas (Sr., D), Cailen Spingler (Sr., M), Tia Marston (Sr., F)

Holy Cross Tartans

Head coach: Nelson Abreu, 1st year

League affiliation: Washington Catholic Athletic Conference

Last year's record: 6-6-2

Players to watch: Collen Din (Jr., F), Julia Parker (Sr., G), Abby Murray (Sr., D)

Quince Orchard Cougars

Head coach: Peg Keiller, 10th year

Last year's record: 17-2-0

Last state title: 2007 (2nd)

Players to watch: Ele Margelos (Jr., F), Amanda Whitney (Sr., G), Kayla Clarke (Jr., M), Emily D'Italia (Jr., F)

Rockville Rams

Head coach: Mike Hayes, 3rd year

Last year's record: 7-2-2

Last state title: None

Player to watch: Michelle Carter (Sr., F), Julia Cosmos (Jr., GK), Jen Civick (Sr., F)

Walter Johnson Wildcats

Head coach: Tom Wheeler, 11th year

Last year's record: 13-3-1

Last state title: None

Players to watch: Caroline Miller (Sr., F), Mitra Ebrahimi (Sr., D), Catherine Madden (Jr., F)