Players from both the St. Dom’s and Gray-New Gloucester girls’ soccer teams have won championships in other sports. This fall, those squads hope to move closer to soccer glory with strong teams in the Western Maine Conference.

The Saints should be one of the top Class C teams in the WMC field. St. Dom’s went 7-7 last year and lost all-stars in Tessa Gallick, Ashley Turcotte and Kat Vincent. The Saints, however, return 16 players.

All-State midfielder Lindsey Rowbotham leads a formidable group. Susan Navojosky, Meghan O’Neill, Cathleen Eulitt, Danielle Moreau, Laura Robitzek and Danielle Theriault anchor a strong defense. Allison Gagnon, Renee Meservier, Rachel Nadeau, Laura Potvin and Allison Turcotte give the Saints a balanced attack up front. Sarah Caron, Alison Leveque and Alexandra Turgeon join Rowbotham in the midfield.

“With 16 returning varsity players and several newcomers, we look to be very competitive this season and contenders in the postseason,” said new St. Dom’s coach Kathy Little.

Traip won the regional title for the second straight season in 2002 and is a favorite to repeat with 11 starters back. Among the veterans are All-State defender Katie Castellino and forward Lindsey Cutts.

Class A should be dominated by the usual suspects in Greely and Cape Elizabeth. The Rangers lost some talent from their state championship team but should still be a force. The Capers also have some holes but shouldn’t miss a step. Marshwood also could be a contender. The Hawks won seven games last year and return seven starters.

In Class B, G-NG returns a team that could improve its six wins from a year ago. WMC All-Stars Emily Baker and Mallory Wilson return as starters along with Dawn Ross, Cait Mason, Katie Skilling and Leanne Waterman. The Patriots even have a promising group of rookies joining the club.

“Even the young players, they’re farther along than any other group I’ve had,” said G-NG coach John Moody. “I think it’s a good mix.”

Falmouth and York met in the regional final last year and should be a strong club once again. The Wildcats return nine starters, and the Yachtsmen remain potent. Yarmouth won eight games and should be a force, as well.

Wells, Gorham, Lake Region and Freeport could be in the hunt for the final playoff berths.

Fryeburg was chasing one of those spots last year but came up short. The Raiders have all but two players back. They’ll look to seniors Shannon True, Meghan Harrington and Paige Millette to help the team improve.

“We hope to be better than last year, said Fryeburg coach John Atwood, whose club went 2-11. “We still have a lot of young players that have to make big contributions.”

Poland went 1-10-3 and has a new coach this year. The Knights plan on rebounding behind Carolyn Hricko, who was an All-Conference player last year, and a strong returning group. Kasey Darnell, Megan Gray, Megan Ford, Mindy Thomas, Sarah Lefebvre, Chelsea Dionne and Amanda Slattery are all part of a solid senior class.

“Don’t overlook this team,” said new coach Joe Cormier. “They have a new attitude and a new confidence in themselves. They’re hungry.”