1. Maranacook: Travis Magnusson’s program has been a model of consistency in central Maine, and this season should be no different. Maranacook has reached five of the last six C South finals, and there is a wealth of big-game experience returning. Senior midfielders Celia Bergdahl and Alice Ferran, and senior forward Phoebe Bell have been MVC and regional all-stars. All-state junior defender Cooper Davis heads a stingy backline that allowed just eight goals last season. The Black Bears were the top seed and went 14-1-2 before falling to eventual state champion NYA in the regional final.

2. Hall-Dale: Another unbeaten team in the regular season whose hopes were dashed by NYA, Hall-Dale went 11-1-4 and reached the C South semifinals. Although Tatum Hancock’s squad is young and focused on building chemistry, upperclassmen Emmalin Nichols (all-MVC second team defender), Maya Hammonds and Jessie Willey return to help guide the Bulldogs through a possession-based game. The defense allowed only 12 goals last season.

3. Gardiner: The Tigers won 10 games, including a preliminary-round contest against Old Town, in last year’s competitive B North, and should be in the mix again with a solid group of returners and newcomers. Sophia Marrone, Gardiner’s leading scorer and the KVAC B Player of the Year, is back orchestrating the midfield, and versatile senior Catherine Mansir moves up front to aid in the attack. Five games were decided by one goal or less last year, and coach Jess Prince expects another season of slim margins.

4. Mt. Abram: Despite losing seven seniors from last year’s fifth-seeded 9-6 squad, the Roadrunners have seven starters returning for new head coach Mark Thibodeau, a former assistant. Sophomore forward Evelyn Pepin (20 goals, four assists, C South all-star) and senior forward Abby McCarty (11 goals, four assists, second-team all-MVC) will lead the offense. Seniors Jenna Osgood and Ari Dereszynski will provide leadership in the midfield and on the backline, respectively, as junior Edna Bilodeau prepares for her first season in net.

5. Temple: The Bereans outscored opponents 76-8 on the way to a 16-1 season and appearance in the 8-person South regional final. Coach Amanda Isgro has a young team with five new players, but still thinks Temple can contend defensively with regional all-star Sofia Isgro taking charge on the backline. Temple did lose its leading scorer, but sisters Carmen Corey, a senior, and Madelyn Corey, a sophomore, should step into larger offensive roles.

Also keep an eye on Erskine, Winslow, Monmouth, Madison