Featuring three local high schools coming off regional titles – one of which went to state – Monroe County should once again be a soccer hotbed this fall.

The 2024 boys soccer season kicks off Monday with three of the four local squads in action.

Columbia, which placed third in the state for Class 1A last fall, returns 18 players from 2023 and has high expectations once again this season.

The Eagles open their 2024 campaign Monday at traditional soccer powerhouse Collinsville before hosting Belleville West on Wednesday evening.

Key returning players for Columbia include seniors Hayes van Breusegen, Micah James, Liam Bivins, Sully Bonaldi and Brady Hemminghaus.

Leading the way in scoring last season was van Breusegen with 22 goals and 12 assists.

Hemminghaus was a brick wall in net last season for Columbia with a 0.65 goals against average and .911 save percentage.

Also returning is sophomore Luke DeWilde, who finished with 10 goals and seven assists last season.

Waterloo, which captured a regional title in Class 2A, lost several senior leaders from a squad that went 18-5 a year ago.

There are some key players returning, however.

Leading the way will be seniors Caeden Wille and Ty Kinzinger. They scored 15 goals each last season.

Another key returner, junior Trent Glaenzer, scored 11 goals and had five assists in 2023.

The Bulldogs will once again have Parker LaCroix in net. The junior collected 17 wins last season.

Waterloo opens its 2024 campaign Tuesday at home against Belleville East. Then on Thursday, the Bulldogs travel to Mater Dei.

Gibault willed its way to a Class 1A regional championship last season despite low player numbers and an overall record below .500.

The Hawks have a new coach, that being Ryan Nordike, and six returning players to try and keep up the program’s proud soccer tradition.

Michael Wessel, a senior, finished with four goals and four assists for Gibault last season.

Gibault will participate in the Metro Cup tournament to open its 2024 campaign.

On Monday, the Hawks battle Highland at Althoff. Then, Gibault takes on Breese Central on Tuesday and Freeburg on Thursday in the tourney, with both of those matches played at the former Lindenwood University-Belleville campus.

Another local soccer squad ready to kick off this fall is Valmeyer. The Pirates went 1-13 last season.

Returning for Valmeyer this season is Ripken Voelker, who finished with six goals and an assist in 2023.

The Pirates will participate in the East Alton-Wood River Tournament next week, starting Monday with a match against the host school.

On Tuesday, Valmeyer battles Maryville Christian.