FIVE TO WATCH

Teams

• Eden Prairie: Perhaps the deepest team in the state. The Eagles return three all-state players from 2009 and feature a potent offense, led by forward Taylor Uhl. The defense, with Kamra Brown and Katie Thyken, is equally as good.

• Wayzata: The Trojans pulled off a mild upset in beating defending champion Woodbury 2-1 in the Class 2A championship game in 2009. Graduation took a heavy toll, but three of their top five scorers return in Taylor Wodnick, Kylie Schwarz and Lauren Urke.

• Orono: With the Babo sisters back in the fold -- Sophie led the team in scoring as a seventh-grader last year and sophomore Macie is a defensive stalwart -- chances of the Spartans repeating as the Class 1A champions are good.

• Edina: 2009 was a dream season for the Hornets, at least until they fell to Wayzata in the Class 2A semifinals. They'll need to replace their top four scorers, but there is plenty of talent waiting for the chance to shine.

• Benilde-St. Margaret's: If the Red Knights can find a suitable replacement for graduated goalkeeper Maddie Jobe, the 2009 Class 1A Miss Soccer winner, there is enough balance throughout the lineup to ensure an elite Class 1A squad.

Players

• Lauren Miller, St. Louis Park: The sophomore midfielder was a second-team all-state selection in 2009. Controls the game, sees the field well and has a knack for distributing the ball.

• Taylor Uhl, Eden Prairie: A skilled passer who is strong on the ball and is exceptionally dangerous in the offensive zone. She had 26 goals and 14 assists in 2009 for the two-time all-state forward.

• Megan Pryz, Wayzata: The senior goalkeeper made 13 saves in the Class 2A tournament, including a game-deciding stop in a shootout victory over Edina in the semifinals.

• Aliha Ballon, Rogers: Exceptionally fast and deft afoot, the senior forward is among the metro's top scorers, tallying 22 goals and 37 totals points.

• Sophie Babo, Orono: The precocious youngster of the group, Babo led the Spartans in scoring last year as a seventh-grader with 25 goals and 32 points. Instinctive and natural, she is only going to get better.

JIM PAULSEN