That Caressa Archie was in the right place at the right time Wednesday was no accident, considering the experience factor she brings to the Clovis North High girls soccer team.

The fourth-year varsity starter headed in a free kick from Samantha Maxwell that kick-started the Broncos' 2-1 Tri-River Athletic Conference defeat of host Clovis and extended an unbeaten campaign for Clovis North, which debuts today atop The Bee's first Central Section rankings of the season.

Archie is one of seven seniors who helped launch Clovis North's varsity program four years ago. And two of the Broncos' four juniors are in their third varsity seasons, giving Clovis North (15-0-1, 2-0) as experienced a team as any in the section.

"We're really connecting with each other and trusting each other to do our jobs," said Archie, a three-time Bee All-Star. "We're hungry. We want the wins so we go out intense."

The rest of the section appears to have taken notice of Clovis North's strong start. All the coaches contacted by The Bee this week pointed toward the Broncos as the team to beat.

"Clovis North is No. 1 right now, hands down," said Stockdale coach Janien McGowan, whose Garces Holiday Tournament Elite Eight Division runner-up Mustangs are ranked sixth. "They look really good."

Clovis North has been building toward this moment, going 47-23-15 during its first three varsity seasons while finishing as the Division III runner-up in 2008-09, the D-III champion in 2009-10 and the D-II runner-up last season.

The Broncos currently share first place in the powerful TRAC -- thanks to Wednesday's game-winning goal from Natalie Bertolucci off Mikaela Smith's assist -- with defending champion and second-ranked Buchanan. Three other TRAC teams -- No. 3 Central, No. 4 Clovis and No. 10 Clovis East -- are among The Bee's Top 10, giving Clovis North plenty of competition in advance of the D-II playoffs.

"I think we have a good shot at TRAC, Valley and hopefully Southern Regionals," Clovis North coach Nick Pappanduros said. "We want it all, no doubt about it. These seniors want to leave their stamp."

Clovis (11-3-4, 1-1) -- which led 1-0 early on Lindsey Dovali's goal -- figures to be among the top teams in D-I. The Cougars' three losses (two against Clovis North, one vs. Buchanan) have all been close.

"I think we have the opportunity to be in the top four, depending on how we sync up," Clovis coach Jeff Annis said. "We're still a little selfish at times."