PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hailey Ferry, Kingsway, Forward/Midfield Sr.

A South Jersey Times' All-Area all-star selection last season, Ferry ranked among the state's top scorers with 23 goals and 21 assists. That included eight multiple-goal games.

Sierra Giuliano, Delsea, Midfield, Sr.

Giuliano finished last season with 26 goals and 24 assists which netted her a South Jersey Times' All-Area all-star nod. She also had eight multiple-goal games for the Crusaders, who reached the sectional final.

Jessica Hatch,

Washington Township

, Defense, Sr.

In addition to being the Minutemaids' top defender, Hatch was the squad's leading scorer in 2017 with nine goals and 12 assists. She is one of the top defenders in the area.

Jorja Hibschman, Millville, Forward/Midfield, Junior

Hibschman proved to be one of South Jersey's talented underclassmen last season when she scored 30 goals and tallied 17 assists. It brought her two-year totals to 51 goals and 25 assists, earning her a South Jersey Times' All-Area all-star selection.

Julianna Smith,

Clearview

, Goalie, Sr.

In pacing the Pioneers to the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 3 Tournament title over Ocean City last season, Smith finished with 128 saves as her squad allowed just 10 goals in 21 games.

Gigi McAlpin, right, is one of the top returners for Clearview which won the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 3 Tournament title last season. (Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media)

TEAMS TO WATCH

Clearview: One just can not discount the Pioneers who are the defending sectional champions even though they will be without Rachel Johnson (21 goals and 13 assists), Gabby Glavin (19 goals and two assists), Claire Eisenhart (10 goals and 14 assists), Jill Verrelle (nine goals and six assists) and Haley Plitt (five goals and seven assists). Smith is back in goal. Gigi McAlpin (11 goals and five assists) and Olivia Sindoni (11 goals and seven assists) will be counted on more.

Delsea: Even with the talent the Crusaders lost, one has to imagine that Meg Ungar, one of the top coaches in South Jersey, will find a way to keep Delsea in the mix for a sectional title. The cupboard isn't bare, however. Yes, two-time South Jersey Times' Player of the Year Nadia Berardelli is gone, but Delsea (21-1-1) has Giuliano, Dawn Lombardi (17 goals and six assists), Hannah Hartwell (15 goals and 19 assists), Abby Hartwell (11 goals and six assists) and Allie Tenenberg (10 goals and seven assists). The defense looked solid in a pair of scrimmages, but the team will have to find a replacement for graduated goalie Hailey Abbott.

Kingsway: The Dragons return a wealth of experience that could give it the edge in the Tri-County Conference Royal Division with Clearview, the two-time reigning champion, losing quite a bit of talent to graduation. Kingsway (15-5-1) bring back Madison Maguire (24 goals and 11 assists), Ferry, Abbie Brown (12 goals and five assists) and Natalie Ivans (six goals and six assists). The Dragons have to find a replacement for goalie Madison Brzozowski. For the record, Kingsway has one win vs. Clearview (2016) with two ties in the last 12 meetings. The last time Kingsway swept the season series was in 2011.

Miranda Mason scored 14 times last season for West Deptford which won its fifth-straight NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 2 Tournament title. (Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Media)

West Deptford: The Eagles will most likely be the only South Jersey Times-area squad represented in the NJ.com Top 20 preseason poll when it is released. West Deptford won its fifth-straight NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 2 Tournament title last season while sharing the Colonial Conference Liberty Division crown with Haddonfield. Miranda Mason (14 goals and four assists) and Halle Dreger (13 goals and three assists) are the top returning scorers. With a strong feeder system from the middle school, West Deptford will find a way to keep things rolling in spite of its losses under head coach Linda Decker.

Woodstown: With defending champion Schalick graduating its top goal scorers, NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 1 could be for the retaking for the Wolverines. Woodstown (15-6-1) brings back four of its top five scorers from last season in Charlie Baldwin (15 goals and seven assists), Daisy Baldwin (nine goals), Lexi Drozdowski (nine goals and seven assists) and Shelby Higinbotham (eight goals and two assists). Sophomore goalie Carlyn Gaskill led the team with 41 saves last season.

DATES TO KEEP

Sept. 4: Opening day

Sept. 6: Cumberland at Delsea; rematch at Cumberland Sept. 27

Sept. 6: Kingsway at Clearview; rematch at Kingsway Sept. 27

Sept. 13: Haddonfield at West Deptford; rematch at Haddonfield Oct. 17

Sept. 19: Woodstown at Schalick; rematch at Woodstown Oct. 11

Sept. 19: Salem at Pitman; rematch at Salem Oct. 11

Sept. 21: Clayton at Glassboro

Sept. 26: Washington Township at Eastern; rematch at Washington Township Oct. 17

Oct. 15: NJSIAA Tournament qualification deadline

Oct. 22-23: First round of NJSIAA Tourrnament

Oct. 25-27, 29: Second round of NJSIAA Tournament

Oct. 30-31: Third round of NJSIAA Tournament

Nov. 1-2: Sectional finals of NJSIAA Tournament

Nov. 6: State semifinals

Nov. 10: State finals at Bordentown

Nov. 12: First round of NJSIAA Tournament of Champions

Nov. 14: Semifinals of NJSIAA Tournament of Champions

Nov. 16: Final of NJSIAA Tournament of Champions at Kean University