COACH OF THE YEAR

* Christine Fellona, Arundel -- As a three-year player at Broadneck from 1986 to 1988, Fellona had grown accustomed to making the playoffs. But she took over a team last year that never had been there. Arundel finished 7-6 that year, then took the next step this spring by winning 10 games and qualifying for the 3A-4A East Region semifinals. The Wildcats were eliminated by Severna Park as part of a three-game losing streak to close the season, but success already had been achieved. "The girls at Arundel were so ready for someone to come in and say, 'I want to win, too,' and take them by the hand," Fellona said. "They've had coaches in the past who have been very strong, but haven't had the athletes. This year, we had a little of both. The team was pretty athletic and the girls really wanted to develop." Among Fellona's chores this year was finding someone to mind the nets. She auditioned eight players, found the most athletic one (sophomore Katie Miller) and turned her into a

goalie. She also needed to come up with some other replacements for players who graduated or didn't make the team, and she constantly preached mental toughness and intensity to a group of girls whose enthusiasm never wavered, even as their season was ending. Arundel's only defeats came against playoff teams South River, Annapolis, Broadneck and Severna Park. One loss was by a single goal, another by two.

THE FIRST TEAM AT GLANCE

* Amy Brew, Annapolis, Sophomore, midfield -- Brew, a defensive wing, had 24 goals, nine assists and 89 ground balls. "She's real strong in the transition," said coach Dave Gehrdes. "She plays both ends of the field real well. She's a very strong clearer and she's very fast." Brew made the Chesapeake Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association national team and was an honorable-mention All-American.

* Kate Brew, Annapolis, Sr., goalkeeper -- An honorable-mention All-American, Brew made 146 saves and allowed 83 goals. "One of her attributes is she alters so many shots," Gehrdes said. "Teams are forced to shoot high and wide. And she clears the ball very well. She's very patient, and she's not afraid to come out of the crease." Brew, who made the Chesapeake Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association national team, will attend Massachusetts.

* Tressa Campbell, Severna Park, Sr., attack -- Playing third home, Campbell scored 23 goals and assisted on six others. She also was among the team's leaders in ground balls and interceptions. "She does a lot more than just score," said coach Carin Peterson. "She's a great all-around player." Campbell will attend James Madison.

* Colleen Gately, Severna Park, Sr., midfield -- Gately led Severna Park in scoring with 33 goals and 11 assists. A gifted athlete, she often has been overshadowed the past few seasons because of Severna Park's abundance of talent. "She's just happened to be next to a couple All-Americans," Peterson said. Gately, who is headed to Virginia, was named All-American.

* Katie Hanburger, Arundel, Sr., midfield -- The primary reason Arundel made its first appearance in the regional playoffs, Hanburger registered 42 goals and seven assists, led the teams in draws and was second in ground balls with 35. "She did such a good job controlling the ball," said Fellona. "She's an excellent, strong player." Hanburger will attend Lafayette.

* Katy Kemerer, Broadneck, Sr., defense -- Kemerer concluded an outstanding career at Broadneck with 11 goals, six assists, 96 ground balls, 19 blocks, 15 interceptions and 109 checks. She also controlled 16 draws and was named Broadneck's MVP. "She's an all-around great player," said coach Jen Shuck. Kemerer, who was named All-American, will attend William and Mary.

* Mary Jo Mahoney, Severna Park, Sr., defense -- Mahoney found herself surrounded by sophomores on Severna Park's defensive unit, so her leadership took on greater importance. "She was in control of that defense," Peterson said. "She was the only one back there with a lot of experience." Mahoney will play at Washington and Lee.

* Kathy McCafferty, Severna Park, Sr., midfield -- One of the most versatile players in the area, McCafferty scored 28 goals and led the team with 13 assists. But her biggest contribution often came defensively. "She's one of those players who can play anywhere: attack wing, defensive wing, center," Peterson said. McCafferty, an honorable-mention All-American and member of the Chesapeake Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association national team, will attend UMBC.

* Megan Riley, South River, Jr., attack -- Riley led South River into the Class 1A-2A state playoffs by registering 60 goals, 26 assists and 81 ground balls. She was chosen to the Chesapeake Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association national team and was an honorable-mention All-American. "When we were in transition, the idea was to get the ball to her," said coach Paula Tobin. "She's been absolutely phenomenal."

* Stephy Samaras, Annapolis, Soph., defense -- Gehrdes calls Samaras "our strongest defender." She usually was assigned to the other team's best player. "She has great anticipation," Gehrdes said. She also scored six goals, handed out four assists and had 80 ground balls. Samaras was chosen to the Chesapeake Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association national team.

* Elizabeth Schaffner, St. Mary's, Sr., midfield -- An All-American, Schaffner had 23 goals and 12 assists. "She's got some excellent skills," said coach Tina Lewnes. Schaffner also played attack this year with equally impressive results. She will attend Loyola.

* Jessica Schmidt, Broadneck, Sr., midfield -- A defensive wing, Schmidt scored five goals and had one assist, 77 ground balls, 23 blocks, six interceptions and 86 checks. She also controlled eight draws. "She's another of our big midfield connectors," Shuck said. "She's a great player. Schmidt, who was named honorable-mention All-American, is headed to Lehigh.

* Erin Wylde, Severna Park, Sr., midfield -- One of the greats ever at Severna Park, Wylde had 28 goals and six assists. She could play any position and contribute in many ways, especially by marking the opposing team's best scorer. "I've heard college coaches say she's the best kid coming out of high school in the United States," Peterson said. "She's such a complete player." Wylde will attend Loyola.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

* Cristi Samaras, Annapolis -- Samaras has led the county in scoring the past three years, but this season she also led Annapolis to the state playoffs. Her numbers were spectacular: 78 goals and 38 assists. She always has been able to score, but this year she showed she was a complete player who also could distribute the ball and get back on defense to help with double-teams and clearing.

"My sophomore year, my team needed me to score," she said. "My junior year came and I was getting some flak for ball-hogging, so I deliberately said I was going to try to assist more. This year, I was saying, 'Maybe I'll score, maybe I won't. I'm just going to play so our team will win and do whatever the team needs.' And I think that's why we did so well. I was scoring the most, but just at the times I needed to be scoring. I wasn't

forcing it."

Said coach Dave Gehrdes: "She was our go-to player in tight situations. She has a great field sense. It's like she's thinking one or two steps ahead of everyone else. And she's very quick and unselfish."

Every opposing team's plan was to try to stop Samaras, but that rarely happened. "The pressure really only hits when you play people like Severna Park and Mount Hebron," said Samaras, whose five goals helped eliminate the Falcons from the regional playoffs. "If you don't think about it, it doesn't get to you."

Samaras, who also was chosen to the Chesapeake Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association national team and was named All-American, will attend Princeton, where she will be reunited with her sister, Cory, a former All-County defender.