KEY DATES

•  Jan. 15-18: GMAC tournament

Jan. 21-25: Districts

•  Jan. 30: Regional quarterfinals

•  Feb. 2: Regional semifinals

•  Feb. 5: Regional finals

•  Feb. 8: State semifinals

•  Feb. 15-16: State finals at Melbourne Central Catholic

DEFENDING STATE CHAMPIONS

•  Class 5A: Cypress Bay

•  Class 4A: Orange Park Fleming Island

•  Class 3A: Plantation American Heritage

•  Class 2A: Melbourne West Shore

•  Class 1A: Tampa Prep

SEASON OUTLOOK

CLASS 5A

•  CYPRESS BAY — Coach: John Ramos: Last season: 23-0-3, Class 5A state champs; Top players: Hector Fernandez (Sr. G); Breno Ertty (Sr. D); Juan Todeshini (Jr. F); Noteworthy: They will be going for their third consecutive state title, but they lost nine starters.

•  FLANAGAN — Coach: Jeff Uchin; Last season: 5-6-7; Top players: Brandon de la Rosa (Sr. F); Juan Marin (Jr. M); Kyle Giscombe (Sr. M); Noteworthy: The defense is being rebuilt, but the midfield returns, talented forwards have arrived, and Uchin expects an improved season.

•  MONARCH — Stephen Lorenc; Last season: 18-3-4, Class 5A regional final: Top players: Rafael De Jesus (Sr. G); Gian Scalise (Jr. M); Gabe Menescal (Sr. D); Noteworthy: Team is strong in goal, on defense and in the midfield, but the offense will take time to develop.

•  ST. THOMAS AQUIINAS — Coach: John Walsh; Last season: 19-1-1, Class 5A regional semifinals; Top players: Jack Miskel (Jr. M); Keegan Wade (Sr. D); Chris Fernandez (Jr. M); Noteworthy: Miskel had 13 goals and 11 assists last season.

•  TARAVELLA — Coach: Darwin Espinal; Last season: 10-9-2; Top players: Darwin Espinal (Sr. F); Esteban Ochoa (Sr. F); Alex Pacelko (Jr. M); Noteworthy: Ochoa (12 goals, 7 assists) leads a solid group that includes junior goalkeeper Pat Goodrich.

•  WESTERN — Coach: Gary L. Coleman; Last season: 9-7-4; Top players: Lorenzo Lopez (Sr. F); Alex Ortiz (Sr. D); Phil Gafanovich (Sr. G); Noteworthy: Their top six players are seniors, including Lopez (12 goals) and Carlos Viganoni (10 goals).

CLASS 4A

•  HOLLYWOOD HILLS — Coach: Dirk Hilyard; Last season: 3-12-4; Top players: Reggie Sylney (Sr. M); Fritz Bernadel (Jr. D); Fabio Osorio (Jr. F); Noteworthy: Defense is improved, but the team is searching for an established keeper and a goal scorer.

CLASS 3A

•  AMERICAN HERITAGE — Coach: Richard Jobson. Last season: State champions. Top players: Sam Vinson.

•  PINES CHARTER — Coach; Thomas Lennon; Last season: 18-1-6, regional semifinals; Top players: Nicko Souharville (Sr. F); Andre Blackman (Jr. D); Lucas Mondino (Sr. D); Noteworthy: Team lost to eventual state champ American Heritage on penalty kicks, but only four starters return.

CLASS 2A

•  UNIVERSITY — Coach: Scott Bowden. Last season: . Top players: CJ Ardavin (Jr. D); Gaston Becheran (Sr. F); Cesar Castano (Sr. D); Jared Heller (Jr. D). Noreworthy: Suns return only six starters, but should still be a playoff team.

•  CARDINAL GIBBONS — Coach: Rafael Ferreiro; Last season: 19-6-4, Class 2A regional quarterfinals; Top players: Nicholas Ketchum (Sr. G); Chris Delinois (Sr. M); Tony Segota (Jr. F); Noteworthy: This looks like a rebuilding year because 14 players graduated, including nine starters.

PINE CREST — Coach: Miguel Martin; Last season: 12-5-3; Top players: Alex Britton (Sr. M); Mark Simpson (Sr. F); Jonathon Bell (Sr. D); Noteworthy: Six starters graduated, and Martin said he has to break in new strikers up front.

CLASS 1A

•  SAGEMONT — Coach: Jose Tamayo; Last season: 10-5-4, Class 1A regional finalist; Top players: Reinaldo Marquez (Sr. G); Mateo Navarro (Sr. D); Jesus Ablan (Sr. F); Noteworthy: Nine starters return and talented newcomers have been added. Navarro made first-team All-Broward.

•  WESTMINSTER ACADEMY — Coach: Jose del Pino; Last season: 12-5; Top players: Mwangi Mungai (So. M); Jacob Ford (Jr. D); James Scassera (Fr. M); Noteworthy: Top seven players are underclassmen, including junior goalkeeper Cody Grimm and eighth-grader forward Robert Clark.