Roland Park goes after more than its fourth straight Association of Independent Schools lacrosse title this spring. The Reds are also after a place in AIS history.
Last year's three-peat put the Reds in a class with Maryvale, the only other team to win three straight titles (1986-88). Now, the Reds want to be in a class by themselves.
But the rest of this well-balanced league has other ideas. Last year's runner-up Mount de Sales, along with Friends, Notre Dame Prep and Bryn Mawr, appear to have the best shots at knocking off the Reds, who lost only to Mount Hebron last season.
The B Division appears to be a three-way race between defending champion Oldfields, runner-up IND and always-tough Park.
The league could be just as tight as last season when Oldfields won four of five league games by two goals or less. They also beat IND by just one goal in the title game.
Bryn Mawr Mawrtians
1993 record: 8-5. Coach: Libby Davis.
Top players: Sara Jordan, Sr., D; Emily Hickman, So., M; Christine Lazatin, Jr., A; Amy McCormick, Sr., D.
Outlook: After four years at Mercy, Davis takes over one of the perennial contenders in the AIS A Division. The Mawrtians return a balanced group of veterans and look especially strong on attack. A few newcomers need to blend into the defense where the communication could be better.
Catholic Cubs
1993 record: No team. Coach: Amy Rose.
Top players: Kate Grubb, Jr., D; Gretchen Frey, Jr., M; Vicki Battaglia, So., A; Jessica Peacock, Fr., A; Holly Quaranta, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Cubs debut in the AIS B Division after fielding a club team last season. Even though they are young, the Cubs have players and a coach with recreation experience. The question is how well they can hold up against the league's more experienced teams.
Friends Quakers
1993 record: 9-3-2. Coach: Carol Samuels.
Top players: Shawny Nellums, Sr., M; Aubin McCarthy, Sr., D; Kim Stude, Sr., A; Summer Downing, Jr., M; Amy Kremen, Sr., M.
Outlook: Samuels' teams always are built on defense and this year is no different. The Quakers allowed just four goals a game last year and they return a solid unit led by All-City/County line defender McCarthy. In addition, the Quakers have speed in the midfield and patience on attack.
Garrison Forest Grizzlies
1993 record: 4-5-1. Coach: Karen Mallonee.
Top players: Liza Shoemaker, Sr., D; Vanessa Vercollone, Sr., D; Jacque Weitzel, So., A; Lauren Klein, So., A; Maggie Shoemaker, So., M.
Outlook: The Grizzlies always have been late bloomers, mostly because they come off of a two-week spring break and launch right into their season. That probably won't change this year, because the Grizzlies have few returning players on defense other than Liza Shoemaker, an All-City/County pick, and Vercollone. However, the attack looks stronger since three freshman started there last season.
IND Indians
1993 record: 7-8. Coach: Mary Beth Bollinger.
Top players: Debbie Krastel, Jr., M; Kim Kelly, So., A; Chrissy Senseney, Sr., D; Diane Fales, Sr., G.
Outlook: The Indians lost half of their starters from the team that went all the way to the final of the AIS B Division tournament before falling to Oldfields by one goal. The defense should be the strength of this team, with Fales anchoring a veteran group. The midfield could be slow coming along with several new players at the wings.
Maryvale Lions
1993 record: 2-10. Coach: Mary Clare McFadden.
Top players: Megan Doyle, Jr., A; Bridget Greenawalt, Sr., M; Megan McLaughlin, Jr., M; Tina DeRose, Sr., D; Kyla Donovan, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Lions could be the turnaround team of the AIS A Division this season. With lots of experience returning, they have already beaten John Carroll, 1-0, and could match last season's win mark this week. However, the Lions are still young with a lot of juniors and sophomores as well as a couple of freshmen.
McDonogh Eagles
1993 record: 2-9. Coaches: Andy Simmers, Cathy Shorreck.
Top players: Alison Schroeder, Sr., D; Christina Coroneos, Sr., M; Anne Stuart Dawson, Sr., A; Evanthe Sophocleus, Sr., M; Leigh Simons, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Eagles suffered through a painful season in 1993 when they were expected to be among the AIS A Division's best teams. There's reason for optimism, though. The defense, which lost just one starter, will have to play well early to make up for a young keeper. The attack looks strong, too, although it's young.
Mercy Sharpshooters
1993 record: 3-7. Coach: Joy Bogusky.
Top players: Maura Hilgartner, Jr., D; Heather Misciewitz, Jr., M; Kelly Swift, So., A; Lisette DeMarais, Sr., D.
Outlook: With a lot of freshmen and sophomores, rookie head coach Bogusky fields one of the youngest squads in the AIS B Division. The team's goal is to go over .500 in this building year. Despite its youth, the attack looks strong, and Swift could score a lot of goals. Transition could be a problem early.
Mount de Sales Sailors
1993 record: 19-1. Coach: Bill Held.
Top players: Lisa Banbury, Jr., M; Amy Buck, Jr., A; Audrey Powers, Sr., G; Julie Simon, Sr., M; Paige Regan, Jr., A.
Outlook: The Sailors were unbeaten last season until they ran into Roland Park in the AIS A Division title game. Although graduation left a few holes to be filled, the Sailors should be right in the thick of things again. Despite losing Giovanna Webster (112 points), Held expects his attack to be even more potent. The midfield looks solid, too, so that leaves the major rebuilding to the defense, which carried the Sailors through many of its wins last season.
Notre Dame Prep Pirates
1993 record: 4-4-2. Coach: Mary Bartel.
Top players: Heather Castle, Sr., G; Kira Nazelrod, Sr., M; Tricia Cummings, Sr., M; Sheehan Stanwick, Fr., M.
Outlook: The Pirates enjoy a luxury few others in the AIS A Division have -- a returning goalkeeper. The question mark comes at the other end where the line attack is somewhat untested. Most of the strength returns in the midfield. In addition to her veterans, Bartel has a corps of talented youngsters led by Stanwick.
Oldfields
1993 record: 11-2. Coach: Beth Franks.
Top players: Jody Cowan, Sr., A; Laurel Mullen, Jr., M; Jen Widmer, Sr., M; Caroline Jones, Jr., A; Danielle Sparks, Sr., D.
Outlook: The defending champ in the AIS B Division, Oldfields returns the division's top attack player in Cowan, an All City/County pick. But Oldfields also has a lot of young talent, including a freshman keeper to blend in with the veterans. Just how quickly the youngsters come along should be telling since the league remains as balanced as it was last season.
Park Bruins
1993 record: 7-2. Coach: Allison Ferguson.
Top players: Kara Silberg, Sr., C; Jessie Cohen, Sr., M; Alexa Wilder, Jr., M; Kara Keith, Jr., A.
Outlook: The Bruins lost a lot of talent from the team that reached the AIS B Division semifinal before falling to IND. But Ferguson also has a wealth of talent moving up. With Cohen and Wilder anchoring the midfield, the Bruins look strong on transition. However, the defense is young and it could take a while for the newcomers to work well together.
Roland Park Reds
1993 record: 13-1-1. Coach: Wendy Kridel.
Top players: Peggy Boutilier, Sr., M; Brent McCallister, Sr., A; Melissa Cully, Sr., M; Catherine Passano, Sr., M: Susannah Pitts, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Reds have won three straight AIS A Division titles largely on the strength of this senior class, and they plan to add an unprecedented fourth. Although balanced, the Reds are strongest in the midfield with a quick-strike transition led by All-American and All-Metro pick Boutilier (24 goals, eight assists). However, the Reds suffered a blow when All-Metro second teamer McCallister (50 goals, 14 assists) went down with a knee injury that could sideline her for most, if not all, of the season.
Seton Keough Gators
1993 record: 4-8. Coach: Sue Behringer.
Top players: Katie Loovis, Jr., D; Kathy Dunoway, Jr., D; Sande Gilbart, Sr., A/M; Kim Howes, Jr., A, Jen Wagener, Jr., A.
Outlook: Seven returning starters give the Gators an excellent prospect for improving on their record. A young defense hurt last season, but a year's experience goes a long way. Gilbart, Howes and Wagener combined for 25 goals last season, so there's plenty of scoring potential.
St. Paul's Gators
1993 record: 4-7. Coach: Sandy Hoody.
Top players: Joanna Khouri, Sr., A; Kate White, Sr., D; Penny Komalan, Sr., M/D.
Outlook: Hoody said this group is the most skilled she's had in four years at St. Paul's. She overhauled her defense last season and that should pay off now. In addition, the Gators' entire attack returns. Add to that such a talented group of newcomers that anyone on the 19-girl roster could start, and the Gators seem to have the formula for a winning season in the AIS A Division. The one untested spot is in goal.
St. Timothy's
1993 record: 3-4-1. Coach: Janet Powers.
Top players: Melissa Miller, Sr., A; Gillian Schreiber, Sr., M; Cozy Joseph, Sr., D.
Outlook: With only four returning starters, St. Timothy's will have to come along quickly to reach .500. The team is more balanced this season after being primarily defensive-oriented in recent years. The youngsters fit in well, but they lack experience.
Towson Catholic Owls
1993 record: 0-7-1. Coach: John Singleton.
Top players: Kate Rust, Fr., G; Amy Cullum, Sr., D; Rebecca Becker, Sr., M; Karen Carver, Sr., A; Lauren Gill, So., M.
Outlook: In their second season in the AIS B Division, the Owls continue to build their program. With a host of talented youngsters, first-year coach Singleton expects to post a winning season.