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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.

Rockville's 2007 campaign was its most successful in six years and the defending Montgomery 3A/2A/1A East Division champion Rams are keen on repeating that success in 2008. Sherwood succumbed to its graduation casualties a bit last fall but looks to climb its way back to the top of county soccer this year. And Wheaton, Northwood and Magruder all look to build upon last year's strides.

After an 8-0, season-opening loss to Whitman last year, 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 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 backline.

Last year's leading scorer, senior Michelle Carter (5 goals), returns to the front of the Ram attack, while senior Jen Civick will anchor the midfield. Rockville might not be the deepest or most talented team out there, but it's quick and gritty.

For all the Rams' accomplishments, they still haven't won a playoff game of late. They earned the No. 3 seed in last year's Class 2A West Region tournament and received a first-round bye before falling in the second to Walkersville.

That elusive postseason win is a high priority in 2008.

"Winning the division was huge for us," fourth-year Rockville head coach Mike Hayes said. "We definitely want to try and get that back, but we know we can't just walk in there and repeat. We remember all the hard work that went into that. But it's nice ¨¨— there's excitement around our program now. People are wearing their soccer shirts in school. I hope this is the start of a new tradition."

Sherwood has reached its regional final two of the past four years. But for the second straight season, the Warriors have lost 12 seniors.

That doesn't mean they're not expecting a good season, though. With only one senior, Sherwood is young this year. But it's extremely talented. If the Warriors can mesh early and harness their talent, learn to play the game and make the right decisions, they're a threat to anyone in the county.

Sherwood's back line will stay intact. Sophomore sweeper Molly Hart, junior defender Erin McCarty and junior goalie Rachel Lewis will anchor the defense. Sophomore Haley Adams is expected to control the midfield for Sherwood.

"Each season comes down to three seasons," seventh-year Sherwood head coach Frank Weaver said. "There's the preseason, the season and the postseason. We're going to take our knocks but hopefully we'll be ready by playoffs. We're not going to win games by talent, but by working hard. We have talented players but you don't have to be the top player in the county. It's about everyone playing together as a team."

Wheaton has been on the rise the last four years. The Knights were a win away from hitting the .500 mark in '07 for the first time this century.

Though it bid farewell to seven players who had been a huge part of Wheaton's recent success, the Knights return five starters, including last year's leading scorer, senior midfielder Christina Argueta (6 goals).

The loss of four-year starting defender Kim Ramirez leaves Wheaton's backline in question. And because the Knights aren't a high-scoring bunch, defense will be the key to their success.

Northwood competed well in 2007 — six of its losses were 1-0 defeats. But as its record indicates, it struggled to finish games.

Led by senior midfielders Kim Hesler, Sarah Shlemon and Maria Adamson and senior defender Dylan Stinson, the Gladiators are looking to play 80 minutes of confident ball in 2008.

"I think last year there was sort of the expectation of losing," second-year Northwood coach Carlos Montalvan said. "This year we're looking to get rid of that. Last year we'd go down a goal and it'd be like, ‘Oh, here we go again.' But the attitude is a lot better this year. We're looking for a successful year. We want to improve our record and we want to be mentally tough, where we can overcome our weariness and shrug off our mistakes."

Magruder returns 12 players to this year's much-improved squad. Junior forward Ana Bolanos, senior midfielder Deena Salameh and senior defender Remy Clemm will lead the Colonels' 2008 campaign.

The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference is likely the toughest in the Metropolitan area, and Good Counsel is consistently contending for the league's title. The Falcons haven't suffered a losing season in 21 years, and have been in the WCAC championship game 10 of the last 14, but haven't won the title since their fourth straight in 2001.

There's no better time for that to change than in 2008. The Falcons lost more than 50 percent of their scoring power from last season, but have capable players ready to pick up the slack, including senior midfielder Cheyenne Braga (2 goals, 3 assists), junior midfielder/forward Crystal Koczot (3 goals, 2 assists), Keri Buler scored 26 goals for last year's junior varsity squad.

The Falcons' attack is backed by a stingy defense helmed by senior defender Megan McTavish and senior goalie Molly Ryan, who tallied 62 saves in 2007. In four years, Ryan has started 38 games, 20 of them resulting shutouts.

Assuming everything comes together, Good Counsel could certainly add a sixth WCAC title to its name in 2008.

"We're a different looking team this year," 21st-year Falcons coach Jim Bruno said. "We've got a lot of youth. But it's talented youth. I think our attack will be a strength. We have a lot of different players who can be dangerous and score."

Blake Bengals

Head coach: Mary Moser, 3rd year

Last year's record: 10-3-0

Last state title: None

Players to watch: Liza Sitz (Jr., M), Hannah Lapp (Sr., M)

Good Counsel Falcons

Head coach: Jim Bruno, 21st year

League affiliation: Washington Catholic Athletic Conference

Last year's record: 16-5-1

Players to watch: Molly Ryan (Sr., G), Cheyenne Braga (Sr., M), Crystal Koczot (Jr., M), Megan McTavish (Sr., D)

Northwood Gladiators

Head coach: Carlos Montalvan, 2nd year

Last year's record: 2-12

Last state title: None

Players to watch: Kim Hesler (Sr., M), Sarah Shlemon (Sr., M), Maria Adamson (Sr., M)

Rockville Rams

Head coach: Mike Hayes, 4th 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., M)

Sherwood Warriors

Head coach: Frank Weaver, 7th year

Last year's record: 5-7-0

Last state title: None

Players to watch: Rachel Lewis (Jr., G), Erin McCarty (Jr., D), Haley Adams (Soph., F)

Wheaton Knights

Head coach: Scott Bayer, 6th year

Last year's record: 6-7-1

Last state title: None

Players to watch: Kim Ramirez (Sr., D), Christina Argueta (Jr., M)