Coach: Ken Zorbach, seventh season.

Assistants: Missie Duncan, Dawn Rathgeber, Patty McLaughlin, Debbie Blackburn.

Last year's record: 5-7.

Starters lost: 8.

Top returnees: Betty Peterson, sr., A; Dawnavan Scott, sr., A; Tricia Knopp, sr., D; Belinda Petry, sr., D; Kyla Rohrs., sr., A; Jen Reynolds, sr., A; AmyMoxey, sr., D; Connie Lawing, sr., G.

Newcomers: Jennifer Burch, soph., D; Aimee Jacoby, soph., D; Becky Mortus, soph., M; Becky Grace, jr., D; Cathy LaRuffa, jr., A; Sarah Loper, jr., A; Katie Magee, jr., D; Tanya Wetherall, jr., A; Jen Rogers, sr., A.

Coach's outlook: "There just isn't a whole lot of depth here. Our inexperience is pretty much over the entire field. We're going to have trouble adjusting to the varsity level."

Harford County Sun's outlook: Zorbach suffered his greatest loss when military transfers claimed both of his goalies. Lawing, a reserve defender, volunteered to fill in and is rapidly improving, but will take a while to get comfortable. The Eagles will have to score a lot of goals to make up for their defensive losses on the field as well. Petry is the only returning starter on deep defense, although Knopp is back at defense wing. On attack, Peterson and Scott are aggressive, but they can't do all the work. Zorbach is hoping that a balanced scoring attack will emerge. The Eagles' passing game is already improving and the transition game is flowing, but Zorbach isn't sure whether that will hold up against the tough competition in the county. The Eagles probably will struggle to reach .500.

BEL AIR BOBCATS

Coach: Carol Barker, seventh season.

Assistants: Suzanne Strahorn, Kathy Lewis, Maureen Jones.

Last year's record: 7-4.

Starters lost: 10.

Top returnees: Carly Bivens, sr., M; Jill Schultz, sr., D; Michelle Thomas, sr., M; Shelley Paradise, sr.,A; Kellam Comer, sr., A.

Newcomers: Jen Emig, jr., M; Lisa Thomas, jr., A; Cathy Adams, jr., A; Trish Heater, jr., G; Laura Casey, jr., D; Heather Lloyd, jr., D; Melissa Lloyd, jr., M; Stacy Tytus, sr., D; Jen Jankowski, jr., A; Beth Mack, jr., M; Katie Leavett, jr., M; Kristen Romano, jr., D; Renee Kuhn, jr., M; Lacey Schoenborn, jr., M; Jackie McClure, sr., D.

Coach's outlook: "This is going to be the old rebuilding year. I think my first team will be competitive once we get into the middle of the season. But only three or four of them have varsity experience, and it's a different ballgame (at this level)."

Harford County Sun's outlook: Bivens and Schultz are the only starters back, so Barker is rebuilding everywhere. A huge contingent of juniors up from JV will determine what kind of season the Bobcats have. There is little experience and little depth here, but plenty of potential. Thomas could provide the scoring punch the Bobcats need, but the whole attack needs to be more aggressive going to goal. The Bobcats also need work on passing and catching to prevent costly midfield breakdowns. If they come along quickly, the Bobcats could end up battling for third place.

C. MILTON WRIGHT MUSTANGS

Coach: Kathy Breymaier, 14th season.

Assistants: Gloria Liedlich, Paul Snyder, Linda MacNeill.

Last year's record: 6-5.

Starters lost: 9.

Topreturnees: Carrie Supik, sr., A; Julie Jakum, jr., A; Debbie Keiser,jr., D; Sara Sloop, sr., G; Jenny Fleming, sr., M; Chrissy Cann, sr., A.

Top newcomers: Amanda McCulloch, jr., M; Amanda Frazier, so.,D; Kristen Schader, so., D; Willa Walldrop, so., D; Jenny Cann, so.,D; Carmen Kinard, jr., D; Kim Dribnack, jr., A; Sara Pokrwika, jr., A; Allison Murphy, jr., A; Kellie Reuschling, jr., M; Julie Smith, jr., D.

Coach's outlook: "We have a very young team. We're just starting over in every part of the game. I think we'll be in decent shapein about a year. We have a lot of potential, and they like to play lacrosse. We just don't have any varsity experience."

Harford County Sun's outlook: It's back to basics for the Mustangs. Breymaier has spent a lot of time working on things like defensive interchanges andoffensive cuts, as well as simple throwing and catching. The Mustangs do have a lot of speed, and they are aggressive going to goal. Thatwon't help much, though, if the transition game breaks down. Sloop is one of the top goalies in the league, so she should help hold the score down. Still, if the defense doesn't come together, even Sloop won't be able to stop everything. Breymaier said the Mustangs would be lucky to win five games. They won't be in as many close games, but with so many rebuilding teams out there, the Mustangs probably won't fall far.

EDGEWOOD RAMS

Coach: Sally van Deusen, third season.

Assistants: Joan Portanova, Michelle McGinley, Renda Respess.

Last year's record: 1-11.

Starters lost: 6.

Top returnees: Lisa Fotia, soph., M; Jennifer MacArthur, sr., M; Jennifer Miller, sr., D; Theresa Delgatti, sr., M; Christine Knopp, soph., M; A.J. Poper, soph., A; April Wallace, soph., D; Dawn Simms, sr., D; Jen Wolfe, sr., A.

Newcomers: Rina Adams, jr., A; Laurie Baer, jr., A; Melissa Brawner, jr., D; Melanie Herbert, jr., A; Becky Hoover, jr., G; Holly Mohr, jr., A; Jackie Kinsey, jr., A; Shawn Pupa, jr., A; Karin Blackburn, jr., D.

Coach's outlook: "We still have a very young team. A lot of the juniors, this is only their second year playing, so there's not a lot of depth there. We're going to have to be able to do the basics, play tight defense and move the ball downfield, and we don't always do that."

Harford County Sun's outlook: The Rams will need a lot ofhelp from the juniors, all up from JV, if they expect to improve their record. Even though a lot of the opposition is rebuilding, most ofthe teams have more depth and skill than the Rams. MacArthur, Millerand Delgatti started last year, along with all four sophomores. WithMacArthur, Delgatti, Fotia and Knopp, the midfield looks strong. Butwith little strength on attack or defense, those four will probably have to work overtime. The Rams could improve their record by a win or two, but they don't have the experience to break into the middle ofthe pack just yet.

FALLSTON COUGARS

Coach: Nancy Ferguson, fifth season.

Assistants: Dinetta Langrehr, Gina Hormes.

Last year's record: 14-1, county champs, state Class 1A/2A runners-up.

Starters lost: 5.

Top returnees: Cindy Jenkins, jr., A; Tammy Kloiber, sr., G; Denise Sarver, sr., A; Jenny Colt, sr., D; Kristina Lilley, sr., A/D; Jenny Haslbeck, jr., A; Kendall Reichart, sr., A; Natalie Dwyer, sr., A.

Newcomers: Laura Rocchio, jr., D; Jenny Clark, jr., D; Katie Kunsman, jr., M; Amy Knotts, jr., M; Susan Hottel, jr., G; DanaBurton, soph., M; Chrissy Battenfeld, fr., M; Kathleen Turk, fr., M/D; Lisa Taylor, jr., M.

Coach's outlook: "It's going to take a while for our defense to gel, and it always takes a while offensively. Ithink we'll do all right, but we'll have to wait and see. We had an exceptional season last year. I don't know if we're capable of that again."

Harford County Sun's outlook: The Cougars played well in last spring's state title game, but ended up losing to Loch Raven. Thisyear's Cougars have lost a lot of their strength, speed and aggressiveness to graduation, especially on attack. Most of the attack players have a lot of skill, but not the determination and killer instinct going to goal. The Cougars are also running behind since their top two players, Jenkins and Kloiber, as well as Ferguson, were involved inthe state basketball tournament until last weekend. Still, with Jenkins as playmaker, Kloiber in goal and Colt on close defense, the Cougars have a solid foundation and should make a run at a fifth straightcounty title.

JOHN CARROLL PATRIOTS

Coach: John Hughes, 15th season.

Assistants: Anne Mundth, Jen Weiland.

Last year's record: 12-1, AIS B Division champs.

Starters lost: 8.

Top returnees: Jenny Lund, sr., M; Beanie Lund, soph., A; Kristen Hughes, sr., D; Melissa Barto, sr., A; Jen Quick, sr., G; Mollie Brumfield, soph., A; Carrie Sevenson, jr., D; Amy Dean, sr., D; Kristy Metz, jr., D.

Newcomers: Jodie Manning, soph., M; Carlin Gray, jr., M; Beth Hedrick, jr., M; Kim Hedrick, soph., M; Megan McGraw, soph., M; Terry Tobash, soph., M; Kristin Pascone, jr., D; Amy Butcher, sr., D; Kim Dahms, sr., D; Karen Trompetier, soph., D; Courtney Carag, jr., D; Elena Morris, soph., G; Nicole Sherrod, jr., A; Kate Nicodemus, jr., A; Krystin Porcella, soph., A.

Coach's outlook: "We're extremely lacking in experience, but this team probably has more athletic ability than last year's team. I think we'll be able to score goals. It's just a questionof how many we're going to give up."

Harford County Sun's outlook: After losing 16 seniors, Hughes has a lot of rebuilding to do, especially on defense. No starters return on defense, and Quick saw limited action last year in the goal. The Patriots have a lot of strong athletes with plenty of potential moving up from JV, but it may take time for them to develop. On attack, however, the Patriots return some key players in the Lund sisters. Jenny is the playmaker, while Beaniedominates the midfield and could be the leading scorer. If the defense can improve quickly, the Patriots probably will battle Park and Oldfields for the B Division title.

JOPPATOWNE MARINERS

Coach: Pam Reich, 11th season.

Assistant: Colleen Webster.

Last year's record: 9-2, state Class 1A/2A quarterfinalists.

Starters lost: 4.

Top returnees: Chrissy Maly, sr., A; Lisa Aquino, sr., M; Jen Manthei, sr., A; Jen Francis, sr., D; Christine Bass, sr., D; Denise Barnes,sr., D; Crystal Carr, jr., M; Lydia Rehrig, sr., D; Alison White, sr., M; Betzi Faust, jr., G.

Newcomers: Christy Null, jr., A; Shannon Perdue, jr., A; Jen Robbins, jr., M; Patty Whitehead, jr., A; Laurie Zaledonis, jr., A; Jackie Bass, fr., A; Karen Lemley, fr., D; Natalie Majerus, fr., M.

Coach's outlook: "We look even stronger than last year. We have a lot of speed, and we look well balanced in each area. We should be real competitive."

Harford County Sun's outlook:The Mariners have more speed than anyone else in the county, and that could be a huge advantage. Few opponents will be able to stop Maly and Aquino, who should easily be among the county's top scorers. All four returning defenders are solid. Reich's freshmen should see a lotof action, too. The only problem could be injuries. Even though Reich is carrying one of her biggest squads ever, she doesn't have great depth, and will need a lot of playing time from most of her starters.There are no glaring weaknesses among the Mariners' starters, and ifthey can adjust to the opposition's game, they could better last season's record. The Mariners only lost once in league competition last year, and they will be out to avenge that setback to Fallston. Look for the Mariners to battle Fallston to the wire for the county title.

NORTH HARFORD HAWKS

Coach: Barbara Waite, second season.

Assistants: Tory Chanell, Michele Jakubiak.

Last year's record: 1-10.

Starters lost: 8.

Top returnees: Carie James, sr., A; Cary Murray, sr., M; Kelly Healey, sr., A; Kim Creed, sr., M.

Newcomers: LaDonna Eckstein, sr., M; Brenda Kozlowski, sr., A/D; Kristin Archer, jr., G; Carli Blische, jr., M; Krista Doyle, jr., D; Terry Gatta, jr., M; Mindy Luzuriaga, jr., A; Chrissy Pardew, jr., A; Heather Reesey, jr., M; Melissa Schreiber, jr., M; Taffy Schunter, jr., D; Stacey Shackelford, jr., D; Amy Stevenson, jr., G; Melanie Sturdivant, jr., D.

Coach's outlook: "We're certainly capable of a 50-50 season, and I'mnot sure if that might not be too low a goal at this point. We have a lot of depth. All the new kids have a lot of time playing together.They're looking pretty good so far."

Harford County Sun's outlook: Last year, Waite brought wholesale changes to the program with a new system and coaching staff. That contributed to the disappointing record, but now Waite's game plan is up and running. Only four startersreturn, but the Hawks should easily improve on their record. The juniors move up from a JV that lost only one game. They bring balanced scoring, solid defense and lots of midfield speed. Unlike much of the opposition, their transition game already is running smoothly. Look for the Hawks to take advantage of other rebuilding teams and make a huge vault in the standings. They're not ready to challenge Fallston or Joppatowne yet, but the Hawks should end up on the winning side of .500.