The high school soccer season is around the corner, but before the ball gets rolling, the state’s Soccer Coaches Association released its preseason rankings.

Seven Lexington County schools earned a spot in the poll. Four girls and three boys teams are ranked in the top 10 for their classification. 

The Gray Collegiate boys are the highest-ranked team in the area, coming in second in the 2A poll. Last season, the War Eagles went 21-7-1, 8-0 in their region, and advanced to the 2A state title game before losing to Oceanside. 

Gray dominated its way through the playoffs last season, winning its first three matches by a combined score of 16-0. The loss to Oceanside was just the third time all year the team was held scoreless. 

It will be the team's last run at the 2A level. Gray will begin 4A competition during the next alignment period.

The War Eagles have a chance to make it back to the title game, and the coaches obviously agree. Only one team is ranked higher than them, and it is the team that beat them in the big game last season. The class runs through Oceanside, but Gray is right behind them. 

In the 5A boys rankings, River Bluff was placed third and Chapin fifth. 

The battle for the 5A Region 4 title was insanely close last season, with three teams compiling the same region record. Chapin, River Bluff and Lexington all finished 6-2, but due to tie-breakers, the Eagles were crowned conference kings. 

The coaches believe River Bluff is entering the season in a better position, but that is no reason to believe the standings won’t be close like last season. 

The Gators had more post-season success last year, advancing the furthest of any of Region 4 school. River Bluff advanced to the state quarterfinal before falling to the eventual champs, Ashley Ridge. Chapin and Lexington both lost 3-2 in the second round. 

Like the boys, the fight for 5A Region 4 was close on the girls side. This year the coaches think it’ll be just as close, ranking three schools in succession.

Dutch Fork, Lexington and River Bluff are ranked no. 7, 8 and 9 in the 5A girls poll. Last season, Lexington, Chapin and River Bluff fought for the region crown, with Chapin ending victorious. 

This season, the coaches expect Dutch Fork to compete, placing them higher than any other team in the conference, despite a 1-7 finish last season.  

The last Lexington County team to appear in the poll was Gilbert’s girls, who rank No. 7 in the 3A poll. 

The Indians finished 17-7 last season and went 8-2 in their region for second place. First place went to Dreher who went 10-0 in region play and sit fifth in the preseason poll. 

Gilbert will look to get back to the state tournament where they lost in the second round to the eventual champion and current preseason No. 1 Waccamaw. 

Here are the full boys and girls soccer preseason rankings. 

5A Boys

1. Ashley Ridge
2. Clover
3. River Bluff
4. JL Mann
5. Chapin
6. Carolina Forest
7. Hillcrest
8. Mauldin
9. Wando
10. Nation Ford

5A Girls

1. JL Mann
2. Wando
3. Blythewood
4. Nation Ford
5. Mauldin
6. West Ashley
7. Dutch Fork
8. Lexington
9. River Bluff
10. St. James

4A Boys 

1. Riverside
2. Eastside
3. James Island
4. North Augusta
5. AC Flora
6. Catawba Ridge
7. Berea
8. Indian Land
9. Myrtle Beach
10. Lucy Beckham

4A Girls

1. James Island
2. Lucy Beckham
3. Wade Hampton
4. Eastside
5. Indian Land
6. Riverside
7. Catawba Ridge
8. AC Flora
9. Bluffton
10. Greenville

3A Boys

1. Daniel
2. Powdersville
3. Waccamaw
4. Dreher
5. Seneca
6. Hanahan
7. Carolina Academy
8. Beaufort
9. Wren
10. Philip Simmons

3A Girls 

1. Waccamaw
2. Powdersville
3. Camden
4. Travelers Rest
5. Dreher
6. Philip Simmons
7. Gilbert
8. Daniel
9. Chapman
10. Beaufort

2A Boys

1. Oceanside Collegiate
2. Gray Collegiate
3. Bishop England
4. Academic Magnet
5. Andrew Jackson
6. Greenville Tech
7. Greer Middle College
8. Ridgeland-Hardeeville
9. Buford
10. Silver Bluff

2A/A Girls

1. Oceanside Collegiate
2. Christ Church
3. Bishop England
4. St. Joseph’s
5. Academic Magnet
6. Southside Christian
7. Greer Middle College
8. Fox Creek
9. York Prep
10. Brashier Middle College

A Boys

1. St. Joseph’s
2. Christ Church
3. Southside Christian
4. Bridges Prep
5. Palmetto Scholars