Only a year ago, El Segundo was an unknown in the Pioneer League.

Then the Eagles put together a memorable run, winning a share of their first league title since 2000 - just the program's second league crown in the last 20 years.

Now El Segundo is considered the favorite in a vastly different Pioneer League, with a chance to build upon a magical season.

"Our goal right now is to take league first," El Segundo coach Juan Mosquera said. "We're a young program, but we're growing.

"I'm not sure about the other teams in our league, but I know we're going to be very competitive."

Like the rest of the Pioneer League teams, El Segundo has several obstacles to overcome.

The Eagles must rebuild their back line that was so fantastic last season, and also find a way to replace Tassha Anderson, their most prolific scorer of a year ago.

Mosquera said sophomore forward Natalie Barbosa has taken the scoring load upon her shoulders and been a force.

"Natalie's really stepping up to the plate," Mosquera said. "We've been expecting her to step up, and she's had a great preseason. She's mature as a soccer player."

Junior Camille Kuebler, a first-team Daily Breeze All-Area selection last season, is the lone returner on the back line. She must pick up slack with the graduation of Kellye Larsen and Kaycee Wilke.

Mosquera will look to Roxanne Kuebler, Camille's younger sister, to play stopper and sophomore Rene Timoteo to be the right defender to help out senior goalkeeper Bronwyn O'Neil.

El Segundo should be strong in the middle with junior Jenna Rich, a returning All-Area selection, junior Leanna Timoteo and junior Courtney Hobbs stabilizing the midfield.

"My concern is building that back line, just like last year," Mosquera said. "But we have a good backbone, right through the middle. We have girls with a lot of good skills.

"If anything, we're going to struggle putting the ball in the back of the net. But we have a little more depth and penetration, and as the season goes on, we're going to get better and better."

Also in the Pioneer League ...

South Torrance: Coach Brad Gomez and the Spartans will have to make major adjustments after top players Laura Hein and Myla Senff elected not to play high school soccer this season. Gomez will turn to junior midfielder Lena Lamas and senior midfielder Hali Oughton to step up in their place. Oughton played sweeper for South last year but is expected to move to her natural midfield position. Freshman Tori Cooper might be the next big-time player for South. Junior sweeper Michelle Rushton is expected to start at sweeper. Senior Olivia Timberlake, senior midfielder Kayc Wharton and senior forward Christine Wilson also return to help out. Junior Audrey Medlock and Alyssa Healy are expected to share time to replace Alyssa Congdon (Cal State Dominguez Hills) at goalkeeper.

Torrance: Coach Traci Castro returns for her second season and expects the Tartars to be a playoff contender. Senior midfielder Ashley McLachlan is the top returner for the Tartars, who already have beaten Peninsula this season. Senior forward Jamie Moon, who is drawing recruiting interest from San Jose State and Stanford for softball, also returns for Torrance. Senior midfielder Lauren Copley, junior midfielder Kristen Pratt and junior defender Janine Urrutia also return. Junior defender Jenelle Donaldson and junior utility player Melissa Ramirez should help, and senior cross country standout Jessica Schell will be an asset. Senior defender Sara Ritchey will help freshman Emily Pryor adjust to goalkeeping.

North Torrance: The Saxons have a new coach in Rob Lines, who will try to help them overcome the loss of 12 seniors, including Melissa Livergood (CSDH). Senior sweeper Helen Padilla and senior midfielder Sarah McQueen both return. Junior forward Ashleigh Gideon, a volleyball standout, also will be key, Lines was previously an assistant coach at Notre Dame Academy.

Lawndale: Second-year coach Michelle Kallas has a balanced team that could be a playoff darkhorse. Phelina Herrera and Natalie Soto have been the leaders. Ashley Lopez, Ebony Martinez and Rocio Zepeda have contributed.