It always seems to pass them by, but you can't knock San Pedro High girls soccer for trying.

The CIF-Los Angeles City Section championship seemingly to them, is like a star in the night sky. You can't reach it but you won't stop trying.

Head coach Gerhard Weber has led the Pirates to five City finals, and 12 Marine League titles in the last 13 years, seven in a row, despite needing help from one rival (Narbonne of Harbor City) to deny another (Banning of Wilmington) on the final week of the regular season for San Pedro to win that seventh straight league crown.

With 12-time champion El Camino Real of Woodland Hills once again providing a strong squad, they're the overwhelming favorite to win yet another title. The whole West Valley League, including Granada Hills, Cleveland of Reseda and Birmingham of Lake Balboa, are stacked with talent, Palisades, runner-up in each of the last two seasons, is also dangerous, but you can't forget about San Pedro, who will stop at nothing to finally get that elusive first crown.

The Pirates were eliminated in the City quarterfinals by Cleveland last season, after defeating the Cavaliers in a nonleague game, both at San Pedro High.

Weber has a mixture of savvy veteran seniors and a bevy of incoming freshmen who are all sensational.

Senior midfielders Lauren Mayeda and Joanna Perone are the top returning goal scorers and two All-Marine League returning standouts. Perone is a fiery competitor who plays 200% every time out, while Mayeda is a crafty player who isn't afraid to knock heads with bigger players.

Senior defenders Brooke Jensen and Savannah Keyse, along with senior forwards Sydney Lezberg and Analisa Ma are also back for the Pirates, who went 7-0-3 in the Marine League last season.

This year's team will have a championship pedigree added to the mix as sophomores Dana Cameron (midfielder) and Danielle Nunez (forward) will join the team for the first time after winning their second straight City Section cross-country titles. Also adding more athleticism is sophomore defender Paige Peterson, who is a standout volleyball player for the Pirates. Senior midfielder Celeste Trevino, another volleyball player, is on the team for the first time.

Arguably the most talented freshman class will all look to make an immediate impact.

Midfielder Heather Carlton, goalie Taylor Miller and forwards Ashley Lopez and Gabriella Ma, who is Analisa's sister and the fourth of many Ma sisters who have played at San Pedro High, are all very gifted at their position.

Miller has split time at goalkeeper so far this season with senior Natalie Martin, another newcomer. Sophomore defender Eden Pokipala, sophomore defender Kirsten Bauman and junior defender Elizabeth Bertone, round out the 2012-2013 Pirates.

Narbonne, Banning and Carson will all provide tough challenges in the Marine League for San Pedro, while Gardena and Washington Prep of Los Angeles are slowly, but surely improving.

Make no mistake about it though, the Pirates are still among the elite class in City Section girls soccer.