COACH OF THE YEAR * Anita Noel, Dulaney -- The second-year coach guided the Lions a 15-2 season and their first appearance in the state Class 3A/4A championship game. The Lions' only two losses came against state champion Loch Raven in the Baltimore County championship and Mount Hebron in the 3A/4A title game. Although the Lions have a few steps to climb to reach the level of the area's Top 5 teams, Noel has brought them a long way in her short tenure. When Noel took over, she had plenty of athletes but had to start by teaching them basic skills. This season, the Lions built on those skills to challenge every team they played except Mount Hebron. They played a strong passing game and had some excellent finishers. A Joppatowne graduate who played at Towson State, Noel faces a greater challenge than most coaches because she doesn't teach at Dulaney. "Not being in school is tough," said Noel, who teaches at Hereford Middle School. "I don't get to know the kids. I don't get to spend any time with them and know them on a different level off the field." It also can make discipline difficult, so Noel has had to be strict. She distributed written rules, including one that said if a player missed practice the day before a game, she couldn't play the next day. "We had a few who tested the water last year and paid for it," said Noel. "This year, it's been simpler because they know we're serious." This year, the Lions achieved two of their three main goals -- an undefeated regular season and a state final four berth. The one they didn't reach was beating Loch Raven, although they gave the Raiders a good run before falling, 11-7, in the county title game.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR * Peggy Boutilier, Roland Park, Sr., midfield -- Boutilier led the Reds to a record-setting fourth straight Association of Independent Schools A Division title, an undefeated season and their first No. 1 ranking. The perfect blend of individual standout and team player, Boutilier always made things happen. She got involved in every play that was anywhere near her, challenging for the ball at every opportunity and usually winning it. "She was omnipresent," said Reds coach Wendy Kridel. "Peggy was just everywhere on the field. You don't know she's there and then all of a sudden, she's there to come through the ground ball, to play defense on somebody, for the give-and-go or to take a shot." A versatile midfielder, the natural defender also came up with some big goals, scoring 29 and adding 13 assists. Her speed, positioning and tenacity allowed her to play great denial defense and come up with interceptions and ground balls. At center, she worked on directing the draw to give the Reds a big advantage in setting their overwhelming transition game in motion. One of three repeat first-teamers, Boutilier was named to every postseason all-star team. Friday night, she scored three goals and had an assist, although her East team fell to the West, 15-13, in the Lacrosse for Leukemia benefit at Johns Hopkins' Homewood Field. Over the weekend, she sparked the South I schoolgirl team to third place at the U.S. Women's Lacrosse Association's national tournament. Named an All-American for the second straight year, she was an AIS All-Star three times. The All-Metro Field Hockey Player of the Year and a member of the U.S. national under-21 field hockey team, Boutilier will play both sports at Virginia on an athletic scholarship. Last fall, she led the Reds' field hockey team to its fourth straight AIS title.

FIRST TEAM AT A GLANCE * Kim Allen, Loch Raven, Jr., defense -- A terrific defensive midfielder for the state Class 1A/2A champions, Allen could quietly take a player right out of the game. Her excellent body position defense kept her tight on her mark. Smart with great anticipation, she could upset the opposition's transition plans, beating them to the ground balls and intercepting passes. The first-team All-Baltimore County selection also had 11 goals and nine assists.

* Lisa Banbury, Mount de Sales, Jr., midfield -- The catalyst for the 19-2 Sailors dominated at center and set the offense moving. The AIS All-Star led the Sailors in scoring with 85 goals and 11 assists, and her speed made her a threat to score every time she had the ball. Her powerful shot and uncanny ability to find the net from any angle made her one of the area's top finishers.

* Amy Buck, Mount de Sales, Jr., attack -- At 6 feet 1, Buck !B proved an intimidating third home. A great target for her &L; teammates, Buck was a key connector in transition. She could catch anything and go to goal. A smart shooter, she used her height to her advantage, throwing keepers off-balance with her ability to hit the high corners as well as bounce it in. The AIS All-Star was second on the team with 73 goals and 20 assists.

* Heather Castle, Notre Dame Prep, Sr., goalie -- The area's best all-around keeper posted a 66 percent save rate. She made 171 saves and allowed 88 goals. A natural athlete with good quickness and solid technique, Castle could dominate play outside the crease, too. With 23 ground balls and 30 interceptions, she wasn't afraid to step out and challenge. Named a first-team All-American and selected for the South I schoolgirl team, the AIS All-Star is headed to Virginia.

* Melissa Cully, Roland Park, Sr., midfield -- This attack wing led the four-time AIS champion Reds in scoring with 50 points, including 27 goals. With incredible vision, she could pass the ball through the smallest spaces, setting up some amazing goals. A physically strong player, Cully could catch just about anything with a long, one-handed reach. A first-team All-American and an AIS All-Star chosen for the South I schoolgirl team, she is bound for NCAA champion Princeton.

* Tricia Cummings, Notre Dame Prep, Sr., midfield -- This AIS All-Star attack wing didn't have big numbers (15 goals, 17 assists) but always came up with big goals in big games for the AIS A Division runners-up. With good quickness, speed and shot selection, Cummings was an offensive threat, and her defensive skills were solid, too. An honorable mention All-American selected for the South I schoolgirl team, she is headed for James Madison.

* Robyn Harry, Loch Raven, Jr., midfield -- The fastest player on this team, Harry used her speed and excellent stick skills to lead the Baltimore County champion Raiders to an unbeaten season and the state Class 1A/2A title. She had five goals

and three assists in the Raiders' 19-7 title-game win over Liberty, bringing her season totals to 32 goals and 26 assists. Named first-team All-Baltimore County at defense wing, Harry could overtake anyone, get the clean stick check and get the ball.

* Alison Jones, Loch Raven, Jr., midfield -- Adding more speed to the Raiders' midfield, the All-Baltimore County selection proved a double threat. A smart shooter, she came up with big goals in key games, scoring 29 and adding seven assists for the state Class 1A/2A champions. At the same time, Jones turned in great defensive performances. Her strong body positioning held her opponents in check, and she was a key to the Raiders' double-teams on the defensive end.

* Katie Loovis, Seton Keough, Jr., defense -- This AIS All-Star hathe quickness and defensive positioning to force the opposition weak or into the double-team. A smart checker, Loovis also came up with a lot of turnovers. With excellent stick skills, she proved a key to the midfield transition and often dominated the draws. Also an offensive threat, she had 12 goals and seven assists. An honorable-mention All-American, Loovis also played for South I.

* Aubin McCarthy, Friends, Sr., defense -- A repeat first-teamer, this cover point used her deceptive quickness and game sense to keep the opposition off-balance. Always thinking a couple steps ahead of the attack, McCarthy seemed to come

out of nowhere to make the interceptions. A strong crease

defender, she could use her good positioning to draw the charge. A first-team All-American, AIS All-Star and South I selection, McCarthy will play at Cornell next year.

* Catherine Passano, Roland Park, Sr., attack -- A dynamo with lacrosse stick, the AIS All-Star never stopped moving. Hard to contain even with a double-team, she could find her way through the smallest openings to go to goal. She led the AIS A Division champions in goals with 35 and added six assists. A great running target for her teammates, she could catch and control just about any pass sent her way. The honorable-mention All-American will play at Dartmouth next year.

* Liza Shoemaker, Garrison Forest, Sr., defense -- A intimidatindefender, Shoemaker has an excellent stick check. Although she played point and cover point much of the season, she also spent time at center, where she marked some of the area's top offensive midfielders, dominated the draw and sparked the Grizzlies' transition. Shoemaker also could finish, contributing nine goals and an assist. She was named first-team All-American for the second year and played for South I. She is bound for Delaware.

* Aimee Vaughan, Dulaney, Sr., attack -- The state's leading scorer with 98 goals and 25 assists, Vaughan led the Lions to the state runner-up spot in Class 3A/4A. Tough to stop one-on-one, she was a tremendous threat on transition. But Vaughan did more than score. At center, she dominated the draw and set the attack moving. A tremendous athlete, she could play defense as well. A first-team All-Baltimore County pick, first-team All-American and South I selection, Vaughan is bound for James Madison.

ALL-BALTIMORE COUNTY TEAMS

Class 3A-4A First team Defense: Danielle Baker, Kenwood; Jennifer Cooper, Franklin; Lori Grant, Perry Hall; Marissa Perman, Dulaney; Jennifer Stahl, Dundalk. Goalies: Tennille Foster, Perry Hall; Bobbie Zalewski, Patapsco. Attack: Jen Bacon, Dulaney; Karen Bradley, Perry Hall; Darla Burns, Franklin; Erin Shipley, Parkville; Melissa Spinnato, Patapsco, Aimee Vaughan, Dulaney.

Class 1A-2A First team Defense: Kim Allen, Loch Raven; Theresa Fisher, Hereford; Robyn Harry, Loch Raven; Jaime Robins, Pikesville; Sarah Weaver, Towson. Goalie: Roni Bienert, Sparrows Point. Attack: ZTC Kristin Carey, Towson; Aisha Eversley, Overlea; Alison Jones, Loch Raven; Meghann Mohler, Catonsville; Gia Trionfo, Loch Raven; Lauren Volk, Loch Raven.

* Note: Teams selected by county coaches

AIS ALL-STARS

A Division East

Defense: Peggy Boutilier, Roland Park; Summer Downing, Friends; Bridget Greenawalt, Maryvale; Sara Jordan, Bryn Mawr; Aubin McCarthy, Friends; Kira Nazelrod, Notre Dame Prep. Goalie: Heather Castle, Notre Dame Prep. Attack: Melissa Cully, Roland Park; Tricia Cummings, Notre Dame Prep; Megan Doyle, Maryvale; Carole Fakhry, Bryn Mawr; Beanie Lund, John Carroll; Catherine Passano, Roland Park.

West

Defense: Lisa Banbury, Mount de Sales; Heidi Hammes, Severn; Sarah Long, Severn; Katie Loovis, Seton Keough; Liza Shoemaker, Garrison Forest; Alison Schroeder, McDonogh; Vanessa Vercollone, Garrison Forest. Goalies: Megan O'Neill, McDonogh, Stephanie Tuerk, Severn. Attack: Amy Buck, Mount de Sales; Tice Burke, St. Paul's; Meghann Donovan, Seton Keough; Sande Gilbart, Seton Keough; Missy Hopkins, Garrison Forest; Jacque Weitzel, Garrison Forest; Joyce Wu, Severn.

B Division Defense: Jessie Cohen, Park; Maura Hilgartner, Mercy; Cozy Joseph, St. Timothy's; Laurel Mullen, Oldfields; Kara Silberg, Park; Chrissy Senseney, IND. Goalie: Megan Evans, Mercy. Attack: Rebecca Becker, Towson Catholic; Debbie Krastel, IND; Melissa Miller, St. Timothy's; Heather Miskiewicz, Mercy; Kelly Swift, Mercy; Alexa Wilder, Park.