Six-time defending state champion Cedar Rapids Xavier begins the girls soccer season in a familiar spot -- atop the Class 2A rankings.

The Saints are among three Metro teams in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union preseason rankings. Kennedy is ranked sixth and Washington ninth in Class 3A.

Xavier won five straight Class 1A titles when soccer was a two-class sport. Last season the IGHSAU expanded soccer to three classes and Xavier was elevated to Class 2A, with the same result. The Saints went 19-2 and won the Class 2A title.

The Saints open the 2012 season Tuesday at home against Prairie at 4:15 p.m.

West Des Moines Valley is ranked No. 1 in Class 3A and Davenport Assumption is No. 1 in Class 1A.

IGHSAU SOCCER RANKINGS
Preseason
(Last year's record in parentheses)

CLASS 3A
1. WDM Valley (15-4)
2. Bettendorf (15-6)
3. Ankeny (21-1)
4. Waukee (15-4)
5. Iowa City West (19-3)
6. CR Kennedy (15-4)
7. WDM Dowling (18-3)
8. Johnston (16-4)
9. CR Washington (16-4)
10. Urbandale (14-5)

CLASS 2A
1. CR Xavier (19-2)
2. Pleasant Valley (14-6)
3. Pella (13-4)
4. Waverly-Shell Rock (13-6)
5. Glenwood (15-2)
6. ADM (16-4)
7. SC East (15-4)
8. Union (18-1)
9. Lewis Central (11-4)
10. DM Hoover (11-7)
11. CB Thomas Jefferson (7-11)
12. Indianola (11-8)
13. Spencer (15-3)
14. North Scott (11-8)
15. Independence/East Buchanan (15-3)

CLASS 1A
1. Davenport Assumption (21-1)
2. Waterloo Columbus (20-2)
3. SC Heelan (14-5)
4. Dubuque Wahlert (13-7)
5. Gilbert (8-4)
6. CB St. Albert (14-6)
7. Center Point-Urbana (12-7)
8. Denver (11-6)
9. Nevada (7-4)
10. Iowa City Regina (10-6)
11. Solon (15-3)
12. Bondurant-Farrar (12-9)
13. Burlington Notre Dame (13-3)
14. Dyersville Beckman (12-4)
15. Clear Creek Amana (11-3)