Harrisville senior Leah Malbeuf has fond memories of her first visits to the state girls soccer final four.

"It was so great seeing all the teams down there, seeing everyone compete for the one thing they want to take home," Malbeuf said. "It was what every high school athlete dreams off, seeing all the people and dedicated fans."

But Malbeuf's memories didn't come from playing in the tournament. She was the ballgirl for Harrisville 10 years ago, the last time the Pirates reached the state semifinals in 1998. Her oldest sister, Liza, was a member of the squad.

But those memories from childhood sparked a desire in Malbeuf to attempt to gain that same experience for herself and her teammates, as a player.

"It pushes you, it really does," Malbeuf said. "We started practice and all the girls couldn't wait to start playing."

Malbeuf got close to her dream last season as her team went 11-0-3 in divisional play and beat Edwards-Knox 1-0 in the Section 10 Class D championship game to reach the state playoffs. But the dream was not fulfilled as Section 7's Chazy blanked the Pirates 4-0 in a quarterfinal game.

Coming 80 minutes short of their goal is a driving force for Malbeuf and her teammates as this season emerges.

"We're not going to go in with a big head," Malbeuf said of her team. "We're going to go in as if we never won Section 10 and played in the state (tournament). Everyone's coming out for us. We all understand that. We're really good as a team. We all understand each other. If we have a problem, we work it out. The team we have is great."

One reason the Pirates are so great is the play of Malbeuf, who is one of the most dynamic offensive players in Section 10. She scored 28 goals last year and added eight assists, playing a role in 36 of her team's 63 total goals. There were only four games last year in which she failed to score and she was held without a point in just three times.

But Pirates coach Pete Wood expects even more from her this season.

"I think she can do a little bit better than that for us," Wood said. "Her skill level has improved. I think she can be more of a leader for us, too."

Malbeuf doesn't have an ego because of her past success. She said she only hopes to be as good as her sister Lacey, a senior on SUNY Potsdam's team, who also was a prolific scorer at Harrisville.

"I got to play with Lacey when she was a senior and I was in eighth grade," Malbeuf said. "It motivated me. Everyone asked if I was going to do what my sister did. I wanted to do better. I'm not better than (her older sisters), but that's what pushed me. I played with (Liza and Lacey) in a women's league, so I was always getting beat up."

Wood has been either the head coach or assistant coach while each one of the Malbeuf sisters played in the program.

"They are similar in their skills, but maybe with a different approach to it," Wood said. "Lacey was more of an, 'I can do this' type of person and Leah is more of a 'take a few minutes and show me and I can do it' person."

WEST DIVISION

Outlook:Harrisville was not only the top team in the West last year, with a 11-0-3 record, but was Section 10's top Class D team. With a balanced offense, led byLeah Malbeuf, the Pirates should have enough to win this division again. Edwards-Knox could push the Pirates, but will have to find someone to replace top-scorerMiranda Typhair. Lisbon should have a strong defense again, the question will be if the Golden Knights can score enough goals to win. Heuvelton also should bounce back from a sub-par 5-7-2 record last year.

Clifton-Fine Eagles

Coach:Bob Lachut (28th year).

2007 record:1-16-2, 1-11-1.

Roster:Jordyn Sullivan (Sr. G), Mara Tyler (Sr. M), Sarah Lackemann (Sr. D/M), Hailey Swinyer (Sr. D/M), Katelyn McCormick (Sr. F), Jacquelyn Pomerville (Sr. D), Chelsea Schoef (Sr. D/G), Erica Powell (Jr. M), Katherin Donovan (Jr. F), Jackie Hardin (Jr. F), Emily Lachut (So. F), Olivia Langevin (So. D), Morgan Lawrence (So. MF), Mandy LaPlant (So. M/F), Emelia Boula (So. M/F), Nicole Aldrich (So. D).

Edwards-Knox Cougars

Coach:Becky Brewer (1st year).

2007 record:17-2-2, 11-1-2.

Roster:Kristina Ashley (Jr.), Kylie Averill (Fr.), Vanessa Bullock (Sr.), Abbey Campbell (So.), Amanda Clark (Sr.), Brittany Colton (Jr.), Kamrie Dandrow (So.), Claire Davis (Fr.), Ashley Davison (So.), Janna Fountain (Fr.), Lateia Gravett (Fr.), Mariah Harris (Fr.), Kaylee Hartley (So.), Mercedes Mackin (Fr.), Danielle Mullaney (Jr.), Kerri Pike (Jr.), Raven Reese (Jr.), Bridgett Reynolds (Jr.), Katie Stone (Jr.), Madison Tressider (Fr.), Maraya VanBrocklin (Jr.).

Hammond Red Devils

Coach:Shawn Dack (2nd year).

2007 record:6-7-5, 4-5-5.

Roster:Brooke Hollister, Cassie Cunningham, Taylor Fargo, Jessica Measheaw, Sam Martin, Tricia Boland, Courtney Whalen, Jessie Distolle, Whitney Atkins, Katelyn Hunt, Aubrie Dunn, Katy Hunter.

Harrisville Pirates

Coach:Pete Wood (6th year, 61-24-9).

2007 record:16-1-4, 11-0-3.

Roster:Jeri Baker (So. D), Megan Berwald (Jr. D), Kylee Best (So. D), Patty Coloney (Jr. G), Emily Dickinson (Sr. M), Gabrielle Dusharm (Fr. F), Ashlee Fowler (So. D), Hunter Fowler (Fr. F), Katie French (Sr. M), Katlyn Hart (Jr. F), Larkin Harvey (Sr. F), Jordan Kapfer (So. D), Mary LaPlatney (So. F), Jeanne LaRock (Sr. M), Emily Lesperance (So. F), Leah Malbeuf (Sr. F), Autumn Mono (Fr. M), Amy Paro (Fr. M), Krista Paro (Sr. D), Allyson Wallace (Jr. D), Taylor Wood (Jr. M).

Hermon-DeKalb Demons

Coach:Patty Mathews (4th year, 13-41-5).

2007 record:4-12-3, 4-8-2.

Roster:Michelle Watkins, Courtney Bigelow, Nicole Fountain, Natasha Sayer, Caitlin Spadaccini, Danielle Woodruff, Beth Zeller, Kaitlin Corscadden, Darcy Matthews, Breanna Whitton, Meghan Hance, Katy Perry, Katie Schober, Ashley Simmons, Katie Tote, Miranda Whitford, Mackenzie Hayes, Kaylee O'Donnell, Angel Scales, Michelle Whitton, Brianna Sayer.

Heuvelton Bulldogs

Coach:Gus Burns (6th year, 54-29-8).

2007 record:7-10-3, 5-7-2.

Roster:Heather Johnson, Sam Weaver, Amanda Pinkerton, Casey Donnelly, Cassie Fobare, Natasha Ghize, Jenna Lashua, Alexa Stowe, Katherine Lashua, Janeel Spiva, Chelsie Bice, Brandi Durant, Sara Sloan, Emilie Ross, Mara White, Lindsay Tennant, Danielle Tani, Kaitlin Pierce, Morgan McAdam, Aliza Armstrong, Shastin Crobar.

Lisbon Golden Knights

Coach:Erica Backus (3rd year, 26-8-7).

2007 record:7-6-6, 6-4-4.

Roster:Rachel Bowdish (Sr.), Chelsey Carr (Sr.), Alyson Felt (Sr.), Chelsea James (Sr.), Sheena Seguin (Sr.), Caitlin Hammond (Jr.), Mackenzie Walker (Jr.), Carolyn Amell (Jr.), Lydia Putney (Jr.), Brianne Teele (So.), Jenn Lassail (So.), Aleashia Parmeteer (So.), Melissa Wheeler (So.), Taylor Armstrong (So.), Jaclyn Moore (So.), Tara Richards (So.), Allison Akins (Fr.), Sarah Bodwell (Fr.), Gabrielle Walker (8th).

Morristown

Green Rockets

Coach:Jamie Bromley (1st year).

2007 record:3-9-3, 3-8-3.

Roster:Cassandra Aldrich, Paige Aldridge, Olivia Trippi, Jerrica Dowden, Sarah LaBarge, Chloe Whalen, Katie Porter, Macy VanArnum, Morgan LaBarge, Saleen Wimmons, Kara Willard, Kierstin VanArnum, Rachel White, Lizzie Whalen, Leah White, Arielle Cobb, Brittany Murray, Michelle Monnett, Kirsten Skelly.

CENTRAL DIVISION

Outlook:The past few years this division has come down to Potsdam and Massena contending for the championship. The Sandstoners return a potent offense, led by seniorKaila Maguire.

Canton Golden Bears

Coach:Greg Kiah (1st year).

2007 record:5-7-7, 4-6-4.

Gouverneur Wildcats

Coach:Michelle Benda (16th year).

2007 record:5-9-3, 5-7-2.

Roster:Nictoria Bates (Fr.), Jenna Weaver (Jr.), Lindsey Weldon (Jr.), Jasmine Frasher (Sr.), Kristi McEathron (Sr.), Jaz Yerdon (Jr.), Jill Easton (Sr.), Jelisa Hartle (Sr.), Kaitlyn McGregor (Jr.), Morgan Hartle (Jr.), Sarah VanVleet (Jr.), Olivia Langevin (Sr.), Lacy Redmond (Sr.), Taylor Roberts (Jr.).

Malone Huskies

Coach:Michele Wiggins (24th year).

2007 record:9-9-1, 9-4-1.

Massena Red Raiders

Coach:Ryan Hayes (1st year).

2007 record:17-2-1, 14-0.

Norwood-Norfolk Flyers

Coach:Jason Hubbard (1st year).

2007 record:(2-12-4, 1-10-3).

OFA Blue Devils

Coach:Lauren Morley (1st year).

2007 record:1-14-2, 1-12-1.

Roster:Kara Cox (Sr. D/G), Ashley Feldt (Sr. M), Kirsten Morley (Sr. F), Allison McCarthy (Sr. F), Morgan Rishe (Sr. F/D), Sarah Small (Sr. D), Brittany Smith (Sr. M), Ashlee Wagstaff (Sr. M), Holli-Jo Cota (Jr. G), Brooke Benjamin (Jr. D), Amanda Calton (Jr. D), Morgan McLellan (Jr. D), Allison Paige (Jr. D/M), Tiffanie Timm (Jr. M), Lindsey Tolman (Jr. D), Alana Ashley (So. F), Chelsea Martin (So. F/M), McKenzie Cole (Fr. G/M), Brittany Hiller (Jr. D).

Potsdam Sandstoners

Coach:Joe Stark (20th year, 226-109-44).

2007 record:17-3-1, 11-2-1.

Roster:Corina Simonelli (Jr. D), Francesca Centofanti (Sr. D), Ashlee Rose (Jr. D), Caitlin Carey (Jr. M), Beth Shepherd (Jr. M), Liz Hafer (Sr. M/F), Cassie Grace (So. M/F), Tess Curry (So. M/F), Kaila Maguire (Sr. M/F), Justine Nichols (Jr. M), Jill Tardelli (Jr. F), Jessica Shumway (Sr. D), Monique Cornett (So. G), Kanika Misra (Jr. M), Caitlyn Kellogg (Jr. D), Ginette Cornett (Sr. F), Krisha Rice (Jr. M), Kaycee Maguire (So. M/D), Fayette Allie (So. D), Olivia Lee (Jr. M/D), Natalie Carranza (Jr. M), Alycia Matott (Jr. D), Lisa Lyman (Jr. G), Tess Hazen (So. F).

Tupper Lake

Lumberjacks

Coach:Russ Bartlett (6th year, 32-53-4).

2007 record:6-10-3, 4-8-2.