Prep soccer preview: Three things to watch

Rob Reischel

Special to the Journal Sentinel

Marquette is seeking to win four straight WIAA Division one titles in soccer this season for the second time in school history.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

History makers: Marquette is the only Division 1 team in state history to win four straight state titles. The Hilltoppers accomplished that from 2000-’03. Marquette will try notching a “four-peat” once again this fall. The Hilltoppers had a young and relatively inexperienced team a year ago, yet still rolled to a third straight crown. Now, Marquette’s 2017 team is far more battle-tested and will be extremely tough to knock off.

RELATED:Players to watch

RELATED:Area conference previews

Classic battles: The Classic 8 was already one of the top leagues in the state. Now, the addition of Oconomowoc makes the conference tougher than ever. Defending league champion Arrowhead began the year ranked No. 2 in Division 1, while the Raccoons were No. 5 in D1. Waukesha West is No. 4 in D2 and Catholic Memorial is No. 3 in D3. Game to game, week to week, there will be no quarter in this league.

Sleeping giant: Delavan-Darien has won three state championships this century, including two of the last three in Division 3. Comets coach Mike Marse has built a juggernaut, one that shows no signs of slowing down. Delavan-Darien returns four players that scored at least 10 goals a year ago, and the Comets could be set for another title run.