Wisconsin Soccer Central

Ten teams that played in last spring's WIAA state tournament started this season in the new-look Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association state polls.

With the WIAA adding a fourth division of competition this spring, the WSCA has changed its poll format to rank five teams in each division – it's the same setup that was used for the boys season last fall. Previously, there were 10 teams ranked in Division 1 and five apiece in divisions 2 and 3, along with honorable mention.

Milwaukee DSHA heads up the Division 1 poll, with coaches backing the Dashers to bounce back after an average season. Brookfield Central, a state semifinalist a year ago, starts second under new coach Dan Makal (Wauwatosa East/UW-Green Bay).

The Division 2 rankings feature Whitefish Bay at the top, and the Blue Dukes opened the season with a 4-1 victory over second-ranked Brookfield East. Waukesha West, last year's Division 1 state runner-up, checks in at No. 4 in the preseason poll.

Waukesha Catholic Memorial, which has won the past two Division 2 state titles and took a 31-game unbeaten streak into the weekend, leads the Division 3 poll. Appleton Xavier, a Division 2 state semifinalist, is No. 2, followed by last year's state runner-up Mount Horeb.

And the four teams that made up the Division 3 state field last spring occupy the top four spots in the Division 4 preseason poll: state champion Ozaukee, Lake Country Lutheran, state runner-up Racine Prairie School and Menasha St. Mary Central.