Good luck predicting a girls soccer champion in the SWC this year.
Parity is expected to reign supreme again as a handful of favorites will be severely tested by a host of upstarts looking to get hot at the right moment come tournament time in October, much like Barlow when it captured the championship last year.
The league produced three teams in both the Class L and M quarterfinals, and co-champions in Class M with Notre Dame-Fairfield and Immaculate. Masuk was a finalist in both the SWC and Class L.
New Fairfield surprised many by making a run to the Class M quarterfinals while Newtown, which is coming off a strong regular season and disappointing postseason, is always in the mix.
And there is Pomperaug, who went 11-1-1 in the league last year and will go to battle with a new coach this fall.
FIVE TEAMS TO WATCH
Masuk: Loaded with offensive firepower between sophomore Kacey Lawrence and junior Giavanna DeLorenzo (17 goals, 12 assists), the Panthers could be the favorite to win the league this season.
Barlow: A year ahead of schedule by claiming the SWC championship behind a host of underclassmen, the Falcons will surely be in the hunt again. A strong midfield will aid the Falcons’ cause.
Immaculate: The Mustangs were ousted early in the SWC playoffs last year, but rebounded in style to earn a share of the Class M title. Searching for an eighth state title in 10 seasons, Immaculate graduated just three seniors.
ND-Fairfield: What will the Lancers look like without All-State forward Samantha LaValle? Now at Wagner College, LaValle scored 96 goals in four seasons in Fairfield. Senior forward Katie Ciufo scored 11 times last year for ND-Fairfield, which returns six starters including goalie Samantha Camacho (16 shutouts).
Pomperaug: The Panthers will be led by new coach Jillian Cipriano, a 2008 Pomperaug graduate who played at Central Connecticut and coached the JV team the past two seasons. Pomperaug will be a young team with just three seniors.
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kristen Roessler, Immaculate: The lone SWC player to be named NSCAA All-New England last year, Roessler posted 11 shutouts last year, including back-to-back clean sheets in the Class M semifinal and final.
Kacey Lawrence, Masuk: One of he most talented players in the league, Lawrence was selected for the United States U16 team over the summer. The target of double-teams game in and game out, Lawrence enters her sophomore season with more experience. Committed to Michigan.
Jamie Collimore, Pomperaug: A top offensive threat last season, Collimore will attend Central Connecticut. Was selected to Region 1 U17 Olympic Development Program.
Amelia Blackwell, Barlow: One of the key contributors behind Barlow’s run to the title, Blackwell — a defender for club and midfielder for school — is committed to play at Army.
Sarah Houle, Newtown: A gifted offensive threat who is also an ace golfer, Houle was named first team All SWC last year in both sports. Newtown went 11-2-3 a year ago.
FIVE GAMES TO WATCH
Immaculate vs. Barlow, September 8: A great way to open the season between two top contenders.
New Milford vs. Weston, September 14: New Milford won back-to-back SWC titles in 2014-15, capping with a memorable run to the Class LL semifinals. But the Green Wave went 3-11-1 last season; will they rebound this fall?
ND-Fairfield vs. Immaculate, September 21: One of the games that will unravel the mystery of the 2017 Lancers.
Masuk vs. Barlow, October 5: Barlow nicked the Panthers for the SWC title with four minutes to go, only for Masuk to return the favor in the Class L quarterfinals.
Pomperaug vs. Newtown, October 5: Two of the top four teams from last year’s standings will likely be there when the season ends again. The Panthers edged a 1-0 contest last year.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BETHEL: Sr. midfielder Lily Daniels, Jr. defender/midfielder Kenna Correia
BROOKFIELD: Jr. defender Shaye McGee, Jr. midfielder Kaitlyn Poplardo, Sr. defender Eliza Lloyd
IMMACULATE: Sr. goalie Kristen Roessler, Sr. defender Kinsey Jarboe, Sr. defender Lettey Stocks, Jr. midfielder/forward Kayla Mingachos, Jr. defender Avery Jarboe.
JOEL BARLOW: Sr. defender Kinsey Colby, Sr. midfielder Catarina Goncalves Sr. midfielder Amelia Blackwell, So. midfielder Caitlin Collins
MASUK: So. forward Kacey Lawrence, Jr. forward Giavanna DeLorenzo, So. defender Susan Mathews
NEW FAIRFIELD: Sr. midfielder Meghan Stroh, Sr. defender Alex Formiga, Sr. forward Dom DeMarisco, Jr. midfielder Kerrigan Quinn, Jr. defender Emily Barata
NEW MILFORD: Sr. Maggie McKay, Sr. Amanda Casconne, Sr. Sarah Marsan
NEWTOWN: Sr. forward Sarah Houle, Jr. forward Emma Curtis
ND-FAIRFIELD: Sr. forward Katie Ciufo, Sr. goalie Samantha Camacho
POMPERAUG: Sr. forward Jamie Collimore, Sr. defender Natalie Connors, Jr. defender/midfielder Olivia Paulison
STRATFORD: Sr. Kristi Pena; Sr. Hannah Shimura; Sr. Cora Martonak Jr. Amelia Overby
WESTON: Sr. defender Grace Toner, Sr. midfielder Petra Friden, Jr. midfielder/forward Katie Orefice