Four of the six defending state champions in girls soccer are looking strong again this season, holding the No. 1 or No. 2 rankings in their classifications. Here’s a look at where all six teams stand with about half the regular season remaining:
*Grayson (AAAAAA): The Rams (7-2, 2-1) suffered their first region loss since 2013 when they were upset by Dacula 2-1 last week. That loss dropped Grayson to No. 9 in the Eurosport rankings and out of the Score Atlanta top 10. Jennifer Westendorf, the AJC state player of the year in 2015, is a freshman at Notre Dame now, but the Rams return Duke signee Ella Stevens, who won the Gatorade award last season. Rebekah Bullock is in her first season as head coach, replacing the retired Terry Klinect.
*Starr's Mill (AAAAA): Starr's Mill and county rival McIntosh have combined to win five of the past six state titles in the second-highest classification, and it's a good bet one of them will do it again this year. Starr's Mill (10-0) is No. 1 in the Score Atlanta rankings, McIntosh (7-0) is No. 1 in the Eurosport rankings, and both are undefeated. They will meet at Starr's Mill on April 15. Starr's Mill beat another Fayette County rival, Whitewater, 4-0 last Tuesday and followed it up three days later with a 5-4 victory over AAAAAA power Harrison. Ansley Peurifoy, Ashton Nowicki, Ashley Broderick and Riley Clark recorded goals against Whitewater.
*St. Pius (AAAA): The Golden Lions have won six state championships in seven seasons, including the past three, and they sit at No. 1 in the Eurosport rankings. St. Pius is 8-3-1 against a very challenging schedule – the losses have come against Westminster (2-0), Starr's Mill (3-2) and McIntosh (4-0). The Golden Lions will face their most important challenge of the season Tuesday night when they meet arch-rival Marist (9-0-1 and No. 1 in the Score Atlanta rankings) in a matchup that likely determines the region champion.
*Westminster (AAA): The top-ranked Wildcats will be the heavy favorites to win their third state championship in four seasons. Westminster outscored its opponents 52-7 in its 7-1 start, with five consecutive shutouts. Westminster's only loss was a 2-1 setback against Marist on Feb. 17. The Wildcats are unbeaten in region play, but they likely will face a challenge against third-ranked Blessed Trinity on Wednesday.
*Greater Atlanta Christian (AA): Playing in one of the state's toughest regions has prepared the Spartans well for postseason success. GAC has reached six consecutive state finals, winning titles in 2012, 2013 and 2015. This year, the Spartans are 6-4-1but ranked No. 2 in Class AA. Fellow Region 6 teams Lovett, Wesleyan, Holy Innocents' and Pace Academy also are ranked among the top seven teams in the state. GAC is led by goalkeeper Melissa Gray and forward Kaylann Boyd.
*Hebron Christian (A): Hebron is the only defending champion that is unranked. Despite having a large group of returning starters, the Lions are 4-6 heading into Tuesday's game against Wesleyan, although that record was compiled against a schedule that was heavy with larger-classification teams. Hebron Christian is 1-2 in Area 8-A play, but the Lions might have gotten a spark with two victories in three days at the Border Classic in Augusta over the weekend. Senior Kendall Towe is a Furman signee.
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