Atholton Raiders Coach: Jim Carlan.
1993 record: 2-9-1.
Top players: Stephanie Van Deusen, Sr., M; Janine Dauberman, Jr., D; Melissa Greczy, Fr., M/D; Julie Kapcala, Soph., G; Chrissy Gavin, Sr., F/D; Caitlin Bair, Fr., M; Mandy Robins, Jr., D.
Outlook: If the preseason is any indication, the Raiders could be ready to move out of the county's cellar. Playing the same teams they were winless against last year in early scrimmages, they went 3-1-2. But second-year coach Carlan isn't ready to talk about a big jump yet. "I'm cautiously optimistic. Historically, Atholton girls soccer has not done a lot, so what we want to do is win some county games." After losing just one starter and adding a handful of talented freshmen, the Raiders have a solid defense. What's new is a bit more offense, although their finishing hasn't been as strong as Carlan would like. Moving Van Deusen from stopper to halfback helped give the Raiders more push from the midfield, where junior Lindsay Clime and senior Jen Norton will help. Sophomore Kim Obst and junior Alika Crew should see plenty of action.
@Centennial Eagles Coach: Dave Greenberg.
1993 record: 8-3-3.
Top players: Michelle Clare, Jr., F; Lauren Molinaro, Soph., M; Tania Riismandel, Jr., D; Rima Sidhu, Jr., G; Katie Garrity, Soph., G; Sarah Bartholomew, Soph., M/D; Shara Boonshaft, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Eagles won two Class 3A/4A state titles before falling in the semifinals last year. Even though most of the talent that took them to those championships is gone now, the Eagles return enough power to challenge for the title. First, however, the Eagles would like to pin down the Howard County championship after finishing fourth last season. In Howard County, the Eagles have something most other teams lack -- a veteran offense. All-County selection Clare, who contributed 16 goals last year, is one of the area's top strikers while Molinaro can create a lot of offense as well. Add talented freshman striker Jen Coulson and the Eagles should have enough power to boost them to the top of the county standings. The defense, which graduated All-County picks Allison Bielski and keeper Laura Bradburn, returns another in sweeper Riismandel. So far, the Eagles seem to be making a smooth adjustment to their new coaching staff of Greenberg, who assisted at Mount Hebron last season, and Kevin Flynn, the new assistant. "We have to stay healthy," said Greenberg. "We need to improve enough so we don't just rely on this kid or that kid. We've got to get better contributions consistently from more people."
Glenelg Gladiators Coach: Mike Williams.
1993 record: 7-4-1.
Top players: Lee Custer, Jr., M; Emily Cox, Sr., F; Carolyn Flowers, Soph., F; Kathy Gaertner, Fr., D; Kim Ridolfi, Jr., M; Julia Custer, Sr., M.
Outlook: The Gladiators came on strong late in the season to tie Centennial, but still they missed the playoffs last year. Although they return six starters, the Gladiators have some big shoes to fill in graduated All-County players Christina Flowers and Molly Hood. Still, Williams said the overall skill level is a bit better. The addition of talented newcomer Gaertner, who will start at sweeper, should beef up a defense that already includes four veterans, senior Gracia Walker at stopper, Julia Custer and senior Lindsay Rupp at fullback and senior Becca Christensen in the goal. Like most of the other teams, offense is where the Gladiators will have to prove themselves. Cox scored five goals to tie for the team lead last season. "We have good players at pretty much every position, and except for two or three positions, this team is better. But right now, I'd say we're not quite as deep as last year," said Williams, last year's Howard County Coach of the Year.
Hammond Golden Bears Coach: Dave Guetler.
1993 record: 12-4.
Top players: Emily Bielefeld, Soph., M/F; Angela Trancucci, Jr., M; Ashley Decker, Jr., D; Rene Hines, Soph., D; Keely Alexander, Sr., F; Michelle Willis, Sr., D; Rebecca Bays, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Bears face their biggest rebuilding challenge in years after losing a slew of top talents, including All-County picks Kacy Williams (All-Metro) and Kisha Jett. "You can't graduate 12 seniors -- nine of them starters -- and expect to do the same thing you did last year. Talent-wise, there are no great superstars. Everybody's got to carry her own load. It's going to be an interesting year," said Guetler, whose squad won state Class 1A/2A titles in 1989 and 1991 and reached the championship game last year. The Bears will learn a lot early with a killer non-league schedule that includes perennial contenders McDonogh, Fallston, C. Milton Wright and Middletown. Most of the Bears are young. Only Bielefeld, Trancucci, Decker and Hines saw starting action last season, and a battle for the starting keeper spot is still under way between senior Laine Zelkowitz and junior Rebecca Robinson. These players are used to winning by three or four goals in many of their games, so their true test will come in how well they can hold together in what appears to be a season full of one-goal contests.
Howard Lions Coach: Dave Vezzi.
1993 record: 3-8-1.
Top players: Rebecca Powell, Sr., D; Katie Kile, Sr., D; Jen Chalfin, Jr., D; Meg Cronin, Jr., M; Karen Krupka, Jr., M; Wanda Elledge, Fr., M; Alyssa Gamaldo, Jr., F/M; Sarah Campbell, Fr., F/M.
Outlook: Even in a county full of stingy defenders, the Lions return one of the best in sweeper Powell, their only All-County pick a year ago. Steady and smart, Powell will anchor a defense that also returns Kile at stopper, Chalfin and junior Tara McNeely at fullback and junior Elissa Sheffrin in the goal. Now, if the Lions can just add some offense to match, and Vezzi said they should be able to. "We've always relied on defense, because we haven't had much offense," said Vezzi. "Now, we have the potential with the new players to do better if we can maintain possession of the ball." The addition of Elledge, Campbell and junior Sara Nunnally, a transfer from Lansdowne, should give the Lions added offensive punch. The Lions also have much more depth with 18 players on this year's squad. "Last year, our starters could stay with most teams," said Vezzi, "but overall, we just didn't have the skill and we didn't have the bench."
Mount Hebron Vikings Coach: Warren Michael.
1993 record: 5-6-1.
Top players: Julie Kickham, Jr., M; Kristen Midura, Jr., D; Laura Correnti, Sr., D; Lynette Chastant, Sr., D; Katie Taylor, Sr., F; Christina Eberhart, Jr., F; Alisha Mosely, Jr., G.
Outlook: The Vikings' best weapon in the past few years has been the element of surprise. Although they weren't among the county contenders, the Vikings shocked Centennial with a 3-2 victory last season. The year before, they went to the state Class 1A/2A semifinal before falling to Loch Raven, 1-0. Although they should be improved over last season with more experience and more club players, the Vikings still aren't ready to strike at the county's top teams consistently, but no one takes them lightly. "I'd like to think we could surprise a few people," said Michael. "Last year, Centennial was a nice win for us. To start, I'd like to see us control the ball a little more this year." Michael expected to return his entire starting lineup, but junior stopper Christie Caiazzo is lost perhaps for the season with a knee injury. The rest of the defense, however, returns intact, led by sweeper Midura.
Oakland Mills Scorpions Coach: Steve Matters.
1993 record: 9-2-2.
Top players: Ginny Dye, Jr., M/F; Lauren McHargue, Sr., D; Maureen Brudzinski, Sr., M; Terri Hayman, Jr., M; Nyiesha Ford, Soph., G; Michelle Osterberger, Soph., D; Antoinette Bwayla, Jr., F.
Outlook: The Scorpions had more offense than anyone in the county last year, but they lost their top gun, All-Metro pick and Howard County Player of the Year Tricia Witte. She led the county in scoring with 20 goals and 11 assists. Although they return Dye, another All-County pick who accounted for 13 goals and eight assists, the Scorpions need to find her some help on the line. "The big question is can we put the ball in the back of the net," said Matters. "Tricia scored by herself and set up Ginny, but now she's not there, and we're going to have to find some way to do it. I'm confident we can score some with Ginny, but we've got to have a couple other people get to be offensive- minded." Bwayla will try to fill that role and Brudzinski, Hayman and senior midfielders Melissa York and Julie Parris can help out. Defensively, the Scorpions return stopper McHargue and sweeper Osterberger. A pair of sophomores, Stephanie Romich and Sabrina Warner, could get the start at fullback.
Wilde Lake Wildecats Coach: Rick Wilson.
1993 record: 10-3-1.
Top players: Kristen Riismandel, Sr., F; Lindsay Waxler, Sr., M; Carrie Brelsford, Sr., D; Katie Douglas, Jr., D; Amanda Berman, Fr., F.
Outlook: The Wildecats lost a trio of tremendous players in All-County picks Carrie Chao (All-Metro), Natalie Froman and Renny Trellis, but they return enough talent to make a run at defending their county championship. "We've got experienced players throughout the squad," said Wilson. "It all hinges on our younger players. If they play to their potential, we could do very well." Berman and goalie candidate Tonya Dedmond lead the newcomers, but the Wildecats return most of their defense. Led by four-year player Brelsford at stopper and veteran senior fullbacks Siobhan Hayes and Ann Tiburzi, the Wildecats' defense gets a boost from Douglas, who moves to sweeper from the midfield. Veteran striker Riismandel and center halfback Waxler can be a tremendous one-two punch going to goal. Add Berman to the mix and the Wildecats should be one of the top scoring teams in the county.