As the St. Paul's School for Girls assistant last year, first-year coach Ali Jacobs has the advantage of knowing all the players. "It's been a pretty seamless transition," she said.
Jacobs has an impressive lacrosse resume, playing on three national championship teams as a standout midfielder at Northwestern University.
She was also part of two state title teams at Westwood High in Massachusetts.
With seven starters returning, Jacobs takes over an experienced St. Paul's team that is looking to improve on last year's 7-7 record and one-goal loss to Mount de Sales in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference play-in game.
"This is a very dedicated team, and we have great senior leadership," Jacobs said.
The attack is expected to be a strength. The unit boasts seniors Paige Aldave (University of Florida), Kerri Clayton (Jacksonville) and Sara Moeller (UMBC).
There's also talent at midfield with senior Rachel Yaffee (George Washington), junior Liza Liotta (Georgetown) and sophomores Ashlyn McGovern (Virginia) and Maggie Root (Maryland).
Promising freshman Darby Welsh is expected to give the midfield a boost.
"We have the luxury to develop a strong bench, which we didn't have last year," Jacobs said.
Seniors Julia Braig (Maryland) and Kaci McNeave (Ursinus), and juniors Paige Barton and Annie Campbell will start on defense, with sophomore Klia Trintis in goal.
"I am very excited about this group," Jacobs said. "We have a lot of work to do, but I like the progress we have made."
Notre Dame Prep
Mac Ford is happy with the quality and quantity as Notre Dame Prep's new lacrosse coach.
Ford takes over a team that has 11 players committed to play at the collegiate level next year and a number of quality reserves.
"We probably have the largest team NDP has ever had," Ford said of his 31-player roster. "The numbers were crazy. We had 80 players try out."
Ford realizes the challenge he faces in replacing Mary Bartel, who coached the Blazers for 32 years, including the last decade or so as a co-coach with Lisa Costello.
"NDP is known throughout the country for what she did," he said.
Ford is a National Lacrosse Hall of Fame member, served as assistant coach for the Team USA women's squad for five years and coached in the Rome Club Lacrosse program for nine years.
Ford was a strong player for Gilman, the University of North Carolina and the Mount Washington Lacrosse Club.
He likes NDP's balance.
Senior Allison Shields (University of Virginia) anchors a defense that also includes senior Brooke Holechek (Gettysburg), juniors Meredith Drusano (Boston University), Lauren Ryan, Kate Myrick, Maddie Burke and Caroline Bilger (Michigan) and sophomore Catherine Keirn (Cincinnati).
"Our leadership is on defense," Ford said. "Most of the seniors are on defense."
Sophomore Keegan Barger keys a midfield of seniors Gabby Burns (Michigan) and Sarah Kroneberger (Roanoke), juniors Alyssa Adams and Coulby Riehl (Georgetown) and sophomores Halle Regan (Vanderbilt), Gil Eby and Katie Railey (Virginia).
"We run three midfields," Ford said. "We have a lot of depth."
Senior Ellie Aburn (Washington & Lee) will start in goal.
Senior Paige Hudak, sophomores Grace Haus (Florida) and Hannah Mardindy (Florida) and freshman Caitlynn Mossman should pace the attack.
NDP lost its first two games -- to Severn, 17-11, and Bryn Mawr, 12-8.
"I am not worried about wins and losses," Ford said. "By the end of the year, I expect us to be very good."