Aberdeen
Head coach: Nicole Andriano (sixth year)
2015 record: 2-10
Top returning players: Gwyneth Steel, sophomore (goalie); Alana Mendes, junior (midfield/forward); Cassie Price, junior (midfield)
Key additions: Layla Gagne, freshman (midfield/forward); Jaidyn Harris, freshman (midfield); Isabella Jones, sophomore (forward)
Season outlook: "We have started this season with our best turnout in years," an excited Andriano said. "Last season we sacrificed subs on varsity to allow for a small JV and we have been rewarded with a growing program. This year we will not only have a varsity team with depth, but a full JV team. We expect to capture more wins this season, as this season will be a launching point for our growing, competitive program. We are excited to start the season and our bright future ahead."
Bel Air
Head coach: Emily Gryglewski (second year)
2015 record: 11-7
Top returning players: Anna Farley, senior (midfield); Moriah Greene, senior (midfield); Tori Mumm, sophomore (defense/midfield); Hailey Colt, junior (defense)
Key additions: Chelsea Gostomski, junior (goalie); Peyton Hale, freshman (midfield)
Season outlook: "For the 2016 fall season, we are ahead of last year due to our senior leadership," Gryglewski, who in her first year led the Bobcats to the Class 3A state title, said. "Their leadership and experience has made our team a more cohesive unit and will help us compete with our very competitive schedule. We continue to focus on the small goals in an effort to achieve the bigger goals. We hope our hard work and passion for the game will prepare us for another successful season."
C. Milton Wright
Head coach: Rachel Cooke (second year)
2015 record: 5-10
Top returning players: Georgia Beachley, sophomore (midfield); Kelsey Goetze, junior (defense); Erin Garvin, senior (midfield); Ellie Muffley, sophomore (defense)
Key additions: Diana Borg, junior (goalie); Annie Keele, freshman (forward); Sam Aljets, sophomore (forward); Taylor Marchetti, sophomore (forward)
Season outlook: "We are expecting a lot of talent in our youth," Cooke said. "A strong rising class of sophomores and juniors coming up from an almost undefeated JV team (suffered one loss), a team that scored numerous goals each match. We have a few key returning upperclassmen as well who round out our ranks."
Edgewood
Head coach: Carolyn Wiland (15th year)
2015 record: 7-5
Top returning players: Nicole Wiland, senior (midfield); Jordyn Carll, senior (defense); Angelina Palmer, junior (goalie)
Key additions: Cassandra Garcia, junior (midfield)
Season outlook: "Our goal this season is to win the Susquehanna Division in addition to building a full size, strong JV squad," Wiland said.
Fallston
Head coach: Caitlin Walker (first year)
2015 record: 9-8
Top returning players: Erin McLelland, senior (defense); Kylie Ryan, junior (midfield); Sophia Delvecchio, junior (midfield); Sarah Dudick, junior (midfield)
Key additions: Alyssa Ledbetter, sophomore (midfield)
Season outlook: "We have a strong core group returning that are ready to step up this year and make a statement," Walker said. "With the skills they have, and a new focus on conditioning, we're excited to see them up against the tougher teams they fell short with last year."
Harford Christian
Head coach: Cheri Lefever (11th year)
2015 record: 8-3
Top returning players: Lily Loomis, senior (attack); Julia Smith, senior (attack); Taylor Dawson, senior (attack/midfield); Hannah Good, senior (defense); Audreyanna Howell, senior (goalie)
Key additions: N/A
Season outlook: "A group of eight returning seniors are looking to continue where they left off last season and work toward a winning record. Their work effort and intensity should ensure that they do make 2016 a memorable and winning season," Lefever said. "The middle of the field will be anchored entirely by seniors. The remainder of the starting positions will be filled by talented underclassmen. Not having a league to compete in, the team will work through an independent schedule of UCBAC and IAAM schools."
Harford Tech
Head coach: Sara Wagner (second year)
Top returning players: Courtney Hill, senior (midfield); Cayleigh Ireland, sophomore (midfield); Katelyn Letts, junior (midfield)
New additions: Kayla Jones, sophomore (forward); Jennifer Hoffman, junior (forward)
Season outlook: "We expect to see a combination of veteran skill and new talent," Wagner said. "We are pleasantly surprised by the level of athleticism our newest players are bringing to the team."
Havre de Grace
Head coach: Rebecca Rogers (second year)
2015 record: 0-12
Top returning players: Nadiya Vazquez, senior (forward); Allison Thomas, senior (defense); Lydia Harris, junior (forward/midfield); Skyler Neirs, senior (forward)
Season outlook: "We have many new players and are looking forward to see their skills progress," Rogers said.
John Carroll
Head coach: Alice Puckett (first year)
2015 record: 14-2
Top returning players: Charlotte Haggerty, senior (midfield); Emily Stancliff, senior (midfield); Emma Gromacki, senior (goalie); Ashlee Kothenbeutel, junior (midfield); Sammi Edwards, junior (forward)
Key additions: Ellie Bruggeman, freshman (forward)
Season outlook: Legendary Fallston coach Puckett takes over a Patriots program that was 10-0 and IAAM B Conference champions a year ago. "The team is working hard and has great senior leadership. We are trying to solidify the defense and fill the holes that were left by graduation," Puckett said. "Everyone has improved through the pre-season and our midfield line looks strong. This team is excited to be at practice each day and has a strong work ethic. They're eagerly awaiting conference play." Caitlin Dempsey will assist Puckett.
Joppatowne
Head coach: Brooke Tyler (third year)
2015 record: 3-9
Top returning players: Tori Ellis, sophomore (goalie); Aira Jonas, senior (defense); Isabelle Arjona, senior (Defense); Tricia Sands, junior (midfield); Mallorie Hunt, sophomore (midfield); Valerie Barker, senior (forward); Rachel Kocsan, senior (forward); Jenna Richards, senior (forward)
Key additions: Jordan Haslacker, junior (defense); Julie Pohler, freshman (forward); Sarah Hutson, freshman (midfield); Kadalena Housley, freshman (midfield); Danielle Suggs, freshman (defense)
Season outlook: "We are pleased to say that we finally have more than enough players to field a team this year. We are heavy on seniors and freshmen so I am hoping the skill level will balance out and we can be successful," Tyler said. "This year looks very promising and our goal is to have more wins this year than we did last year. We have added five players this year who have never played field hockey and four of which, this is their first sports experience ever. We can't wait to see how they grow and change as the season progresses."
North Harford
Head coach: Carla Harward (fifth year)
2015 record: 11-5
Top returning players: Skylar Limpert, junior (goalie); Ariel Limpert, sophomore, (midfield); Hunter Meisz, sophomore (defense); Meredith Parks, senior (forward); Anna Racine, sophomore (midfield); Molly Zardus, junior (forward); Emily Rinaca, senior (forward); Sarah Burton, junior (midfield)
Key additions: Brooke Ciampaglio, sophomore (forward); Meredith Price, freshman (forward); Kelsie Collier, freshman (midfield); Sasha Dennis, freshman (goalie)
Season outlook: "This year we again are fielding a very young team and we look to continue to build upon the successes of last season," Harward said. "We return a core group of midfielders as well as our goalie, however, losing the majority of our defense will be something that will be tested early. Also, after losing our leading scorer for the past two seasons, our offense will be challenged to mesh as a unit in order to create scoring opportunities. How we communicate and play together as a team will be instrumental to our accomplishments this season."
Patterson Mill
Head coach: Shannon Swinscoe (12th year)
2015 record: 7-8
Top returning players: Grace Baltimore, senior (goalie); Julianne Gabor, senior (defense); Maggie Egan, junior (offense); Jasmine Sabol, junior (offense); Emily Pascoe, junior (goalie); Sydney Beck, sophomore (midfield)
Key additions: Julia Frankis, freshman (offense); Cassidy Ward, freshman (offense); Lauren Golczewski, sophomore (offense); Sarah McCollum, sophomore (offense)
Season outlook: "Overall, we have a young team this year, but a more experienced team. These girls are ready to put the work in and grow together and I'm excited to see where the season will take us," Swinscoe said.