Throw out the Xs and Os, the traditional practice drills and everything else that usually makes up the first few weeks of a girls lacrosse season. The winter weather decided it had its own agenda.
Because of snow, ice and school closures, most Howard County teams had just one or two practices the first week of the season. Since then, it continues to be a whirlwind of uncertainty. When will we practice? Where will we practice?
"Welcome to lacrosse in the Northeast," said River Hill coach Kelly Rabil.
The basketball playoffs overlap spring sports, so gym time is at a premium. Some squads were able to rent indoor facilities.
Playday was canceled, scrimmages rescheduled and practice plans scrapped.
Each team has had to adapt in its own way.
Atholton's players, for example, did their distance runs and wall ball on their own and then sent coach Martie Dyer pictures or video of their effort.
The Raiders also tried to hurry spring along by joining the boys lacrosse team to stomp the snow on their turf field. If nothing else, it was good exercise.
Like so many times in the past, Mt. Hebron enters the year as the team favored to win the county title. If the Vikings do, it will be their 23rd in the 28 years girls lacrosse has been played in Howard County. Further success could result in a record-breaking 16th state title.
Behind marquee players Jen Giles (midfield) and Meghan Doherty (defense), both seniors destined to play for the University of Maryland, Mt. Hebron will be ready to meet all challengers.
"Jen is a team player through and through," said Mt. Hebron coach Trish Derwart. "The newspapers may focus on her offensive stats, but Jen is focused on the full field and is the type of kid who cares little about herself, but greatly for her team."
Giles recorded 55 goals and 25 assists as she earned US Lacrosse High School All-American status last spring.
"Jen just keeps getting better and the reason is simple — she just loves to learn and loves to elevate her game," Derwart said.
Doherty has unmatched athleticism and anchors the Vikings' defense.
"Meghan is an incredible presence on the field," Derwart said. "She has the ability to read how a play will unfold. … and her interceptions are game changers."
The footwork she's honed on the basketball floor pays dividends on the lacrosse field.
Teammate Chachi Kelehan had a breakout season last spring and has played lacrosse with Giles and Doherty since their elementary school days.
The senior trio, all four-year starters, will be at the core of the engine that drives Mt. Hebron.
A Mt. Hebron state championship isn't as automatic as it used to be. The Vikings are in an extremely difficult section that includes Marriotts Ridge, Glenelg, Century and Winters Mill, which have all won state championships since 2008.
Derwart knows that her team has a target on its back, but they have come to expect that.
"These girls are driven and motivated. That's what you get when you have a lot of upperclassmen in the program," she said. "They know the expectations and they have a lot of goals that they want to reach."
While Mt. Hebron is the county favorite, Marriotts Ridge is close behind.
The two-time defending 3A/2A state champion Mustangs have to fill in some holes caused by graduation. Marriotts Ridge's biggest loss was Taylor Hensh, the school's all-time leading goal scorer and the 2014 Howard County Player of the Year.
"No one is taking it lightly," said Marriotts Ridge coach Amanda Brady. "They are pushing each other, and it's pretty fun to see the level of intensity at practice, even an indoor gym practice. We are ready for this year's challenge."
Expect Glenelg and River Hill, which has been elevating its game, to also be in the top tier of the county. Howard has potential as well.
Games between Wilde Lake, Long Reach, Oakland Mills and Reservoir won't have the winner-take-all feel that a Mt. Hebron-Marriotts Ridge game might, but any contest among those rivals is about pride and will be exciting.
Glenelg Country School reached the finals of the Interscholastic Athletic Association's B Conference tournament last spring, where the Dragons lost to Friends.
In the IAAM C, Chapelgate will need to get past Oldfields and Catholic.
This year's MPSSAA state finals will be held at Stevenson University instead of at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Opening draw
Weather permitting, the Howard County season gets underway March 20. On paper, Glenelg Country School and Chapelgate were scheduled to begin their seasons earlier, but those games have been rescheduled.
Here's how the teams look (For full capsules on each team, visit howardcountytimes.com):
Atholton
Coach: Martie Dyer (10th total)
2014 record: 7-4 county, 8-6 overall
Top players: Juniors Meaghan Quinn (MF), Emma Johnson (MF), KK Shepherd (MF/A) and Megan Hart (D); sophomores Rachel Foster (MF) and Kelly Flynn (D/MF).
The tweet: After a four-year break, Dyer is back as the Raiders' varsity coach and she has the team pointed towards rising up out of the middle of the pack in county play. Led by Quinn, Foster, Johnson and Shepherd, the Raiders will have a strong midfield. Mollie Belson, Flynn and Hart will anchor the field defense in front of keeper Yasi Brewer.
The Raiders have just two seniors on the team (Belson and Brewer).
"We're young but look to be competitive," Dyer said. "The girls have a phenomenal work ethic and are really excited to break into one of the top positions in the county."
Centennial
Coach: Lauren Meyer (first)
2014 record: 7-4, 7-5
Top players: Seniors Martha Hutzell (MF) and Emilia Uribe (D/MF); junior Samantha Courtemanche (A); sophomore Laurie Bracey (D).
The tweet: Hutzell, Uribe and Courtemanche will spearhead Centennial's scoring this spring. Hutzell the squad's top returning scorer had 27 goals and 14 assists as a junior.
After splitting time in goal last spring, Anna Cosentino is now the Eagles' top keeper.
Meyer describes her 18-player team as a "hardworking group that is passionate and eager to improve everyday."
Glenelg
Coach: Ginger Kincaid (28th)
2014 record: 8-3, 12-4
Top players: Seniors Hannah Doughty (A), Kayla Renehan (D) and Sami Smit (MF); junior Julia Salandra (MF); sophomore Courtney Renehan (MF).
The tweet: The Gladiators have 10 returning starters, but will have a new look at a key position. Megan Taylor, a fixture in goal her first three years, is working her way back from an ACL tear. The timing of her return is uncertain.
Katelin Johnson, Taylor's back-up, will be starting in goal. Glenelg's defense will be solid because the players have been together for years.
Doughty, Pagnotta, Courtney Renehan and Salandra are expected to be Glenelg's offensive leaders.
Three freshmen — Anna Callahan, Georgia Esmond and Peighton Stone — have made the team, which has 25 players, including 10 seniors.
"We are much more balanced than we have been in a couple of years," said coach Ginger Kincaid.
Glenelg might be a long-shot to win the county, but the Gladiators will play a role in who does.
Hammond
Coach: Bill Smith (fifth)
2014 record: 0-11, 2-13
Top players: Seniors Brigid Mangan (A), Mariah Sandy (A), Ellen Barrios (MF), Hannah McGowan (MF) and Shacorya Miller (D); junior Zoe Pekins (MF).
The tweet: Mangan and Pekins will be Hammond's go-to players. Hammond's success will depend on how the rest of the team progresses. The team returns seven starters.
Madison Lehrner and Madison Eaton will compete for the starting spot in goal.
"We have great leadership, a great coaching staff, some experienced talent and some exciting young talent," said coach Bill Smith of his team. He says his squad is "enthusiastic and excited to improve."
Howard
Coach: Alleesha Davidson (fifth)
2014 record: 5-6, 9-9
Top players: Senior Catherine Sims (D); junior Katie Schluederberg (MF); sophomore Jenny Kinsey (MF).
The tweet: Howard's 22-player squad includes seven returning starters.
The returning attackers and midfielders know the offensive sets and are used to working together and that will speed up Howard's early season development.
Schluederberg, Kinsey and Kelsey Savje look to be the Lions' scoring leaders. Sam Sagi and Lauren Ferraro will push each other for the starting spot in goal.
Davidson describes her team as "hardworking and focused. They seem to be bonding as a team already."
Long Reach
Coach: Colleen Delaney (third)
2014 record: 2-9, 3-10
Top players: Senior Lillie Miller (MF); junior Colleen Dudley (A).
The tweet: Long Reach has four starters back from last year and will lean heavily on Miller and Dudley for their playing talent and their leadership.
Ashley Boehler is the Lightning goalie.
Playing time won't be an issue for the Lightning, having sufficient substitutes will.
"We are young and ambitious. Despite our low numbers and experience we are working hard at every practice to improve as individuals and as a team," Delaney said.
Marriotts Ridge
Coach: Amanda Brady (second)
2014 record: 10-1, 17-2 (3A/2A state champion)
Top players: Seniors Katie Berdy (D) and Maddie Courtney (D); juniors Lexi Souder (MF) and Carly Miller (A).
The tweet: The Mustangs graduated several high-caliber players, but return six starters — Lily Kennedy, Kelly Colegrove, Souder, Berdy, Courtney and Miller — from the team that successfully defended its 3A/2A state championship last year.
Souder, who is moving from attack to midfield, Miller and Kennedy will provide much of the team's scoring. The team has great finishers and the attack redefends quickly.
Berdy and Courtney lead a solid field defense in front of goalie Caroline Moore.
"This team has a spark in their play. We see a lot of fire and drive coming to practice each day, accompanied by hard work and determination," Brady said.
Mt. Hebron
Coach: Trish Derwart (ninth total)
2014 record: 11-0, 13-2
Top players: Seniors Jen Giles (MF), Meghan Doherty (D) and Chachi Kelehan (MF/A); juniors Jordan Stevens (A) and Sorana Larson (MF); sophomore Jen Schaaf (GK).
The tweet: From attack to defense, the Vikings are loaded. As the top returning scorer among the public schools, Giles will get a lot of attention. Her game, however, is not all about scoring, she's more than happy to set up the play and her teammates, particularly Kelehan and Stevens, are proficient enough to finish it off.
Derwart admits that Giles is the team's "clutch player, but we are not dependent on her."
In a game where draw control is so important, Larson provides Mt. Hebron with a draw specialist.
Mt. Hebron is reconstructing its defense; having Doherty and Schaaf will make the job easier. Solid in her positioning, Doherty excels in her ability to come up with interceptions.
"Her field sense helps us tremendously," Derwart said.
The majority of the Mt. Hebron team has been through the program. They know the expectations and are driven to meet the season's goals.
"I think they could have run tryouts themselves this year, which speaks volumes to the team's leadership," Derwart said.
Oakland Mills
Coach: Jamie Bowman (third)
2014 record: 1-10, 3-12
Top players: Seniors Sarah Farrell (MF), Christina Devine (MF) and Jania Suryn (MF/A).
The tweet: Oakland Mills returns four starters from 2014 and Farrell, Devine, Suryn and Christine Woodcock are expected to lead the team's offense. Candace Hammond will start in goal. Other than that there are many unknowns due to the weather-hampered start of the season.
"We are small but strong," said coach Jamie Bowman. "We have some players who have really grown over the last year who will be a huge asset for us."
Bowman said her team will try to "be the best versions of ourselves by constantly improving on our skills and teamwork."
Reservoir
Coach: Katie Lee (fifth)
2014 record: 4-7, 5-10
Top players: Seniors Anna Janush (A), Darci Fehr (D) and Alexis Bartley (MF).
The tweet: The Gators return nine starters to a team that is composed mostly of sophomores and freshmen. The attack will be led by Janush, while much of the scoring will come from sophomores Juliet King, Michelle Armstrong, Haley Tiller and Alex Sadzewicz.
Reservoir has a relatively small squad (15 players) and has a need for a goalkeeper.
"We are a strong, tight-knit group of players who are committed to playing for each other," Lee said. "Our team motto this season is "one team, one dream" and we are hungry to achieve that dream."
River Hill
Coach: Kelly Rabil (third)
2014 record: 8-3, 11-5
Top players: Senior Halley Seybold (MF); junior Katie Caddigan (MF); sophomore Annie Maloney (GK); freshmen Gabby Hamburger (MF) and Julia Smith (MF).
The tweet: Missing their top three scorers — the Collins twins graduated and senior Emily Hamburger has a torn ACL — the Hawks' offense has a lot of rebuilding to do. Talented freshmen Gabby Hamburger and Smith can help fill the void.
"You can tell they've been playing since second grade," Rabil said.
Club play is different from varsity play, so the quicker the two adjust the sooner the team will benefit.
Maloney, who has already committed to the Naval Academy, is one of the county's top goalkeepers. She's quick and not afraid to come out of the goal circle. She plays like an eighth defender.
Rabil says her team is "a fun bunch, but they like to work hard and are up for a challenge. They have a lot that they want to uphold in what they have created in the last few years with River Hill lacrosse. They take pride in that."
Wilde Lake
Coach: Sean McHale (first)
2014 record: 3-8, 5-11
Top players: Seniors Nicole Sciabarra (MF) and Taylor Tobias (MF/D); junior Kate Glaros (MF); sophomore Jenna Oler (GK).
The tweet: Wilde Lake has a veteran team with almost three-fourths of the players having varsity experience, but since top scorer Grayson Corbett has graduated, this year's team has to forge its own identity.
"It's hard to say who our top scorers will be at this point. We'll likely have a very balanced scoring attack," said coach Sean McHale. "We have a strong group of experienced players, who have exhibited a lot of energy and leadership during our tryouts. We're very excited and optimistic for the upcoming season."
Glenelg Country School
Coaches: Paige Walton (16th) and Brian Reese (second)
2014 record: 10-4 IAAM B, 12-5 overall
Top players: Senior Lizzie Rice (MF); juniors Megan Hooper (MF), Julia O'Loughlin (D) and Kelly Layton (GK); sophomores Alyssa Arnold (A) and Julia Sheehan (A); freshman Hannah Glaros (MF).
The tweet: Things are looking up at Glenelg Country School. The 2014 team posted the best record in nine years and reached the IAAM B Conference finals. Ten starters from that team are back. The Dragons also have a JV squad this year.
Arnold, Sheehan, Hooper and Rice give the Dragons four solid offensive players. Newcomer Hannah Glaros will also be a welcome addition to the midfield.
Layton, the goalie, has worked hard in the off season and looks good.
"I believe one of our team's biggest strengths is that we have 13 returners who have played together for a few years," said Walton. "We have skilled players in all positions and players that play well off each other. …They do a great job of creating and seeing opportunities.
Chapelgate
Coach: Colleen Norton (sixth)
2014 record: 9-4 IAAM C, 12-5 overall
Top players: Seniors Emma Rufolo (MF), Julia del Carmen (MF) and Casey Garlic (D); junior Katherine Cameron (MF); sophomores Rachel del Carmen (D), Abby Heffler (MF) and Lindsey Heffler (MF).
The tweet: Returning nine starters, the Yellowjackets picked up where the left off last spring and they would love to improve on last year's performance.
"We have literally hit the field running with minimal teaching or instruction of skills but rather how to work together as a team," said Norton.
Rufolo and del Carmen will be the team's top guns. Abby and Lindsey Heffler, Jenna Winand and Cameron will provide support.
Jasa Curry, a freshman, will play in goal. She is proving to be a quick learner.
There are four new players on the team.
"The new girls have assimilated well and bring up the team's level of play as a whole. Our asset will probably be a very strong defense and midfield," Norton said.
Chapelgate does not have a JV team.