WSJ 2014 Prep boys soccer preview:

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jose Barron, MF, jr., Beloit Memorial: A second-team All-Big Eight Conference selection as a sophomore, Barron finished with 30 goals and 10 assists for the Purple Knights, who return nine starters.

Teon Fountain, D, sr., Madison Memorial: A Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association all-state honorable mention selection, Fountain earned All-Big Eight Conference and All-Area first team honors.

Kye Hanson, D, sr., Verona: A four-year varsity performer, Hanson is a three-year starter at center back and a returning all-Big Eight Conference first-team defender.

Paul Karls, sr., Lodi: Karls earned Capitol Conference first-team honors last season. He scored three goals in 77 minutes in a 3-3 tie and shoot-out victory over Union Grove this season.

Devin Ott, MF, sr., Middleton:Ott earned All-Big Eight Conference second team honors and will lead the Cardinals who finished second in the league a year ago and are 16-2 in conference play the past two seasons.

Spencer Pearson, D, sr., Oregon: A team captain as a junior for the Division 2 state champion Panthers, Pearson earned Badger South Conference and All-Area first team honors and All-State Best of the Rest recognition.

Garrett Spellman, M, sr., Mount Horeb: A returning all-state honorable mention selection, Spellman will anchor the middle and be provided with more scoring opportunities this season.

Sean Surtees, F, sr., Madison Memorial: Surtees earned all-state honorable mention and Big Eight Conference first-team honors for the conference champion Spartans.

SasaYodkerepauprai, M, sr., Madison East: A returning first-team All-Big Eight selection, Yodkerepauprai will provide scoring punch for a young team that includes six freshmen.

Alex Young, D, sr., Madison Memorial: Young earned all-state honorable mention and Big Eight Conference first-team honors to help lead the Spartans to the league title.

PRESEASON ALL-AREA TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Forwards: Paul Karls, sr., Lodi; Mitch Morhoff, sr., Oregon; Sean Surtees, sr., Madison Memorial.

Midfielders: Jose Barron, jr., Beloit Memorial; Devin Ott, sr., Middleton; Garrett Spellman, sr., Mount Horeb; Nick Steidemann, sr., Oregon.

Defenders:Teon Fountain, sr., Madison Memorial; Kye Hanson, sr., Verona; Spencer Pearson, sr., Oregon; Alex Young, sr., Madison Memorial.

Goalkeeper: Paul KoebkeBarsic, sr., Madison Memorial.

SECOND TEAM

Forwards: Jair Cisneros, sr., Lake Mills; Jonathan Kroeger, sr., Lakeside Lutheran; Jair Cisneros, sr., Lake Mills.

Midfielders: Steven Abalos, jr., Mount Horeb; James Bon, sr., Madison La Follette; Chris Nelson, jr. Lodi; SasaYodkerepauprai, sr., Madison East.

Defenders: Colton Bigler, sr., Belleville/New Glarus; Jordan Grapentine, sr., Middleton; Nathan Haugen, sr., Wisconsin Heights; Nate Klopotic, sr., Mount Horeb.

Goalkeeper: Ben Tallard, sr., Waunakee.