Tempe Corona del Sol may be the defending 5A Division I state champion. The Aztecs may have two players back chasing school records in the run for a repeat title.

But Corona coach Matt Smith still feels his team may not be the favorite.

Smith puts the spotlight on Phoenix Mountain Pointe, which fell to the Aztecs in the state title game last season 2-0.

“This is their year, if anything. With the people they got back, they’re going to be in it,” said Smith, pointing out the Pride still have Alexandra Elston and Erica Long back to challenge for the 2007 crown.

However, Smith may be modest. Other coaches feel Corona, along with Mountain Pointe, is a dangerous threat to repeat with players such as the triple threat of senior Alexa Daiutolo and juniors Brittany Cole and Alexis Burkhart.

Cole and Daiutolo both have a shot at the team’s career scoring mark this year.

“We have a real solid freshman group this year, and we may actually be deeper than last year,” Smith said.

Tempe Marcos de Niza, behind senior twins Kristi and Lisa Andreassen, looks strong in 5A Division II. In 4A-I, Phoenix Pinnacle hopes to give defending champ Tucson Catalina Foothills a run for the title.

Gilbert Higley is the defending 4A-II champ, but lost its coach and one of its key players (Samantha Roberts left to join a club team).

KEY DATES

Wednesday: Last year’s four semifinalists from 5A Division I face off — Mountain Pointe vs. Gilbert and Corona del Sol vs. Horizon

Dec. 4-8: Corona del Sol vs. Gilbert in Tempe Diablos Tournament at Tempe Sports Complex with the winner possibly playing Mountain Pointe the next day.

Late January: Region tournaments

Jan. 31–Feb. 9: State tournament

TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alexandra Elston, Sr., Mtn. Pointe, MF: Elston, Tribune’s player of the year in 2005-06, scored more than 40 goals last season for Mountain Pointe.

Alexa Daiutolo, Sr., Corona del Sol, MF: The Central Region offensive player of the year is back and chasing her school’s scoring record, and a state title.

Brittany Cole, Jr., Corona del Sol, S: If Daiutolo gets the scoring record this year, Cole has a year to steal it from her teammate.

Erica Long, Sr., Mtn. Pointe, S: Coaches around the state fear having Elston and Long coming at them at once.

Molly Simmons-Stuber, Sr., Red Mountain, MF: The East Valley Region MVP helped the Mountain Lions reach the state tournament last year.

Other players to watch

Kara Miller, Desert Vista, Sr., MF;

Alexis Burkhart, Corona del Sol, Jr., MF;

Bostyn Burger, Gilbert, Sr., D;

Sam Conrad, Gilbert, Jr., MF;

Shawn-Tae Greene, Dobson, Jr., F;

Megan Niblett, Chandler, Sr., D;

Vanessa Stone, Mesquite, Sr., F;

Este Rea, Corona del Sol, Jr., F;

Bailey Foutz, Mtn. Pointe, Sr., D;

Amy Jarvis, Highland, Soph., F;

Kimmie Feidler, Mesquite, MF;

Nicole Fares, Mountain View, Sr., GK;

Andrea Clark, Dobson, Sr., MF;

Decia Howell, Hamilton;

Bianca Doller, Marcos de Niza;

Gabby Valles, Mesa;

Mackenzie Stevens, McClintock, Jr.;

Danica Webb, Higley, Sr., F.

DID YOU KNOW?

Lots of experience: Higley’s new coach, Orlando Cervantes, comes from California and has coached several university teams, including serving as a coach for a professional league, the California Jaguars.

Twins: Marcos de Niza twins Kristi and Lisa Andreassen have played varsity all four years. Lisa holds the season and career assist records at Marcos, while Kristi is headed to Northern Arizona University next year to play soccer.

New rule: There will be a slight change in the rules in the event of a region tie. Last year, the team with the best power ranking was declared the champion and got the automatic berth. This year, in a tie, the tied teams will be declared co-champions in the region, but the leader of the power points gets the better berth.

Strong region: The Fiesta Region had five teams (Gilbert, Hamilton, Highland , Mesquite and Desert Ridge) out of six qualify for the state playoffs last year, and Chandler coach Ron Tanner expects a similar result.

TEAMS TO WATCH

Corona del Sol: Aztecs return plenty of firepower from last year's 5A-I state champ and should be in hunt again.

Mountain Pointe: Pride midfielder Alexandra Elston is one of the East Valley's best athletes and Mountain Pointe wants revenge for Corona's rubber-game win in the championship last year.

Cactus Shadows: The Falcons' experience earned in last year's semifinals could serve them well in 4A-II.

Higley: With senior forward Danica Webb back in the fold, the defending 4A-II champs are always dangerous.