By Eric Frantz For the Dayton Daily News

Beavercreek girls soccer coach Steve Popp mentioned it's atop the Beavers' list of goals.

"A lot of coaches think the same thing, and most think it's a good thing to get that league title first," Popp said. "That gets things going and then you can look at winning other titles."

Finishing first in the Greater Western Ohio Conference East Division will be a sizeable feat this fall. In the initial Miami Valley Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Division I poll last week, five of the division's six teams debuted in the top 10. Beavercreek was first, Wayne second, Centerville third, Xenia fourth and Fairmont ninth.

Since 2002, Creek (2003-04), Wayne ('04), Xenia ('03) and Centerville ('02) have each advanced to the regional. Last season Creek made the state semis while the Warriors lost to Dublin Coffman in a regional final.

"All the teams in our league have a legitimate chance of winning it," Popp said.

Most have a legitimate chance of winning more.

Through its first six games Creek is undefeated and has outscored the opposition 31-1. The Beavers, three-time defending East Division champs, opened at No. 5 in the D-I state poll. Wayne is 5-1, while Centerville, the GWOC East winner in 2001, is 5-0-1.

Individually the division has some standout players in Wayne's Stacey Lucas (12 goals, five assists) and Jerrika Hartley (five shutouts); Beavercreek's Kelly Blumenschein (6 goals, 10 assists) and Sangeet Rattan (five shutouts); and Xenia's Katie Davies (two assists).

As for inter-division play, that kicks off Wednesday with Wayne at Centerville. Creek travels to Xenia on Sept. 28. On Oct. 5 all four teams face off with Centerville at Beavercreek and Wayne at Xenia. The Bucs close the regular season on Oct. 12 at Centerville.

Northmont, which has won 13 league titles in the last 14 years, is looking to win its fifth straight GWOC West crown. The T-Bolts could also make some noise come tournament time and affect seeding. Through last week Northmont was 2-0-1 against GWOC East teams with wins over Fairmont (7-0) and Springfield North (8-0). The T-Bolts tied Centerville 0-0.

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