What a contrast between the top four girls’ soccer teams in the Mountain Valley Conference.

Last fall, Wiscasset, Georges Valley, Winthrop and Mt. Abram were the best clubs in the MVC. The Ramblers and Roadrunners each lost about a dozen seniors while the Redskins and Buccaneers only lost a handful. That difference helps make Wiscasset and Georges Valley the preseason favorites in the MVC.

Wiscasset went 13-0-1 in the regular season and lost in the regional final to NYA. The Redskins lost just three seniors and return All-State forward Colby Graffam and MVC All-Stars Jessie Matzell and Sarah Whitfield on a strong championship-caliber squad.

Georges Valley looks just as formidable. The Buccaneers went 12-1-1 in the regular season and lost to Traip in the quarterfinal. Georges Valley graduated three seniors and return a strong club including All-State forward Elena Bertocci and back Rachel Campbell.

The rest of the MVC field will be chasing those two clubs and filling out the playoff field.

Monmouth (5-9-1) is one of the few other MVC clubs to return most of its team. The Mustangs have plenty of experience and are led by four-year starter Bianca Cloutier up front and all-conference defender Alex Gauthier.

The Mustangs face Wiscasset and Georges Valley early but should come on strong.

“We should begin to gel near midseason and plan to build momentum toward October as the freshmen begin to settle into varsity soccer and their individual roles,” said Monmouth coach Steve Bodge.

Dirigo (9-6) could be a team to challenge the elite and chase a playoff spot. The Cougars have holes to plug, but have some athletes back to make it happen. Alexa Kaubris was an All-State midfielder. The offense has Brooke Weston, Danielle Glover and Kayleigh Daley returning while the defense has veterans in Melissa Porter, Jennifer Harvey, Mallory Child and Deidra Gilbert.

“Players of Kassi Putnam and Jessica Blaidell’s caliber don’t replace easily,” said Dirigo coach Art Chamberlin of his All-State forward and veteran goaltender lost to graduation. “We will try to make up for them by using the collective experience of our seven returning seniors.”

Though Mt. Abram (8-7) was hit hard, the Roadrunners have ample talent as well. Sadie White and Katie Van Riper were MVC All-Stars and the Roadrunner’s defense should be tough. Despite losing goaltender Kim Johnson and defender Stephanie Hood, the team returns Van Riper, Jocelyn Plog, and Liz Roy on defense while keeper Briana Wilkins split time with Johnson .

“Our thing again will be whether we can score goals consistently,” said Mt. Abram coach Marc Keller.

Mountain Valley (3-10-1) could be a team to watch. The Falcons were in a rebuilding mode last year but was still competitive. Now with nine players returning, the Falcons should be a tough foe.

“We really only got blown out in two games last year,” said Mountain Valley coach Greg Waite. “Five of our losses were by one goal and three were in overtime. So we hope to be a little more successful this year.”

Winthrop (11-4-1) lost 13 seniors and only have Melissa Nguyen, Aimee Simoneau, Laura Ravis and Ali Dick back as returning starters.

“We lost our four midfielders,” said Winthrop coach Marc Fortin.

“They were all pretty good ones. So we’ve got three sophomores in there, and they’re unproven. They’re all athletes and they’re good soccer players, but they’re going to be thrown into the fire here.”

Lisbon (6-7-1) hopes to be in the playoff hunt again. The Greyhounds lost five starters but still have a solid group of juniors and some promising underclassmen.

After winning six games last year, five more than the previous year, Lisbon hopes to keep the momentum going.

“That’s what we’re looking for, for them to pick up where they left off and start off with some confidence,” said Lisbon coach Claude Rioux.