Wisconsin Soccer Central

When Milwaukee Marquette kicks off practice for the 2015 season next Monday, the reigning WIAA Division 1 state champions will do so as one of the nation's top-ranked boys soccer teams.

The Hilltoppers checked in at No. 6 in the inaugural USA Today/National Soccer Coaches Association of America Preseason Super 25. They also are 12th in the Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Fall Boys Fab 50 rankings.

Marquette finished 23-1-2 last fall and extended its record by winning its 10th WIAA Division 1 state title – all since 2000 – and 25th overall state championship.

Senior forward Alec Philippe, who had a team-high 27 goals and five assists and was the lone junior on the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association all-state First XI in 2014, figures to lead the way for the Hilltoppers this season.

The first day of matches across the state is Aug. 25. Marquette opens its season Sept. 1 at Menomonee Falls in a rematch of last year's state final, which the Hilltoppers won 4-1. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Menomonee Falls High School.

• Defending Division 2 state champion Brookfield East received honorable mention in the USA Today/NSCAA Preseason Super 25.
• Marquette is third in the TDS Great Lakes Region rankings and leads the website's Wisconsin rankings, followed by Whitefish Bay and Kettle Moraine.
• Menomonee Falls received the sportsmanship award for June's WIAA girls state tournament – the school also won the honor for the boys tournament last fall. The Falls girls lost to eventual winner Schofield D.C. Everest 4-3 in the state semifinals.

Do you know of other prep coaching changes for the 2015 boys season or the 2016 girls season? Let us know at wisconsinsoccercentral@gmail.com