John Heller, Post-Gazette Thomas Jefferson midfielder Ryan Browne is one of the top players back not only in Class AA but in the entire WPIAL. Click photo for larger image. The rankings Class AAA 1. Baldwin 20-2-2 2. Plum 17-2-0 3. Peters Township 14-6-1 4. Chartiers Valley 15-8-0 5. Fox Chapel 18-4-2 6. Bethel Park 13-4-2 7. Kiski Area 13-6-0 8. Upper St. Clair 27-0-0 9. Norwin 13-7-1 10. Mt. Lebanon 10-7-3 Class AA  1. Ambridge 16-4-1 2. South Park 21-6-1 3. Thomas Jefferson 19-5-1 4. Montour 9-11-0 5. Mars 15-5-1 6. Elizabeth Forward 17-7-1 7. McGuffey 11-7-1 8. Moon 15-4-1 9. Knoch 12-5-0 10. Waynesburg 15-4-1 Class A  1. Quaker Valley 16-7-0 2. Chartiers-Houston 17-4-0 3. Shady Side Academy 11-6-2 4. South Fayette 13-7-0 5. Sewickley Academy 20-4-0 City League  1. Allderdice 17-5-0 2. Schenley 8-8-2 3. Carrick 8-9-2

With the graduation of his top two leading scorers from last season, Baldwin boys' soccer coach Erik Duffy said he believes he will see "more of a team effort" this season.

It's possible that effort will reap a WPIAL championship.

Baldwin is the Post-Gazette's preseason No. 1 team in WPIAL Class AAA. The soccer season starts for Pennsylvania teams Friday.

"We knew this could be the year we were pointing to," Duffy said. "We had success last year and the opportunity is there to do more this year."

Nine starters return from a team that went 20-2-2 and made it to the WPIAL semifinals. The top returner is senior forward Reuben Jolo, who had 10 goals last season.

"Reuben could have a breakout year," Duffy said. "He has the potential to be one of the best players out there."

Baldwin also is expected to have a strong defense after having 15 shutouts last season. Senior goalkeeper Craig Bieltz is back, along with senior defenders Steve Wagner, Tony Muraco and Justin Schiffhauer. Other returning starters are junior midfielder Joe Monaco, junior forward Lester Johnson, senior midfielder Kevin McPeak and senior forward-midfielder John Zalewski.

Here is a look at some other top teams in the WPIAL and City League:

WPIAL Class AAA

Plum has eight returning starters and a lot of offensive firepower. Junior forward/midfielder Paul Paradise scored 23 goals last season and is considered one of the premier players in the WPIAL. Senior forward Ben Fecik and senior midfielder Michael McDade each had 16 goals. Also back is senior goalkeeper Zach Matthews, who had seven shutouts.

"This has the potential to be the best team we've had here," said coach Jeff Nese. "It's the most well-rounded team I've had."

No. 3 Peters Township made it to the WPIAL quarterfinals last season and four starters return, including senior forward Chris Wilcox. Kevin Noone, a former defender, is the team's goalkeeper.

WPIAL Class AA

No. 1 Ambridge has junior forward Craig Bunney, who scored 23 goals last season. Junior forward Jeremiah Grassel added 18 goals and junior goalkeeper Greg Blum had 13 shutouts.

"Our 11 players can play with anyone," said coach Sean Cummings.

South Park has eight returning starters from a team that finished second in the WPIAL and PIAA. The Eagles have a nice 1-2 scoring punch in senior midfielder T.J. O'Brien (22 goals) and senior forward Dan Gardner (20 goals).

	Players to watch: Boys Player School Yr. Position Ryan Browne Thomas Jefferson Sr. Midfielder Craig Bunney Ambridge Jr. Forward Tim Dodson Fox Chapel Sr. Defender Reuben Jolo Baldwin Sr. Forward Andy Kalas Norwin Jr. Defender Stefan Lundberg Kiski Area Jr. Forward Adam Monteverde Quaker Valley Jr. Forward Steve Nese Penn Hills Sr. Forward Paul Paradise Plum Jr. Forward Justin Taucher Chartiers Valley Sr. Forward Josh Teti Elizabeth Forward Jr. Forward D.J. Thomas Knoch Sr. Midfielder Kurt VanSickel Trinity Christian Jr. Midfielder Chris Wilcox Peters Township Sr. Forward Jordan Yocum Chartiers-Houston Jr. Forward

Defending WPIAL champion Thomas Jefferson has senior forward/midfielder Ryan Browne, who had 27 goals and 14 assists last season. Browne will play football this season, too. Also back is senior forward/midfielder Jerry Tortella, who had 18 goals.

WPIAL Class A

No. 1 Quaker Valley has eight returning starters from a WPIAL semifinalist. Senior forward Adam Monteverde scored 16 goals last season.

No. 2 Chartiers-Houston should be a high-scoring team with junior forward/midfielder Jordan Youcum and senior midfielder Jarrett Carlson. Yocum, who is still recovering from a stress fracture in his foot, had 31 goals last season and Carlson 34.

City League

Senior midfielder Josh Rudkin, senior defender Aaron Meyers and junior forward Elliot Fishman are returning starters for Allderdice. Sophomore Dan Chimes looks like a strong goalkeeper.

"We still have a lot of question marks," said coach Ed Powers. "We need to have some seniors step up and some of the underclassmen, too."