Annapolis Panthers 1993 record: 3-8-1. Coach: Dave Griffith.
Top players: Dana Curran, Sr., F; Emily Lowe, Sr., FB; Jamie Pleyo, Sr., HB; Jessica Milber, Jr., F.
Outlook: The Panthers are buttressed by Pleyo, a transfer from Northeast, and Milber, an exchange student from Germany. Pleyo is quick, hustles, has a good shot and contributes on offense and defense. Although Milber has to work to overcome the language barrier and brought with her a different soccer style, first-year coach Griffith says she is fitting in nicely. "We're preaching togetherness and team play," said Griffith. "We're going to try to be more disciplined." Freshman Brooke Wagner and Stephy Samaras, a converted fullback, are battling for the goalie job.
Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers 1993 record: 1-13-3. Coach: Gino Drury.
Top players: Nicki Trumpler, Sr., G; Nicki Stoddard, Sr., HB; Stacey Sietz, Sr., W; Holly Bauer, Sr., FB; Marissa Taitque, Jr., HB; Allison Tirdil, Jr., FB; Maria Drury, Soph., S.
Outlook: Drury expects the team to be more competitive with an infusion of talent from the JV and the freshman class. "We're not that bad a team," he said. "We're just in a very good conference." Defense, anchored by Trumpler, the all-Catholic League goalie, should be the Cavaliers' strength. Offense is needed -- "to take the pressure off our defense and put it on someone else for a change," said Drury -- and may come with the addition of speed. Speedy newcomers include Nicole DeLuca, up from the JV, and freshmen Angie Fuller, Stephanie Cano and Sara Garrett. "We were devastated by injuries in the speed department last year," Drury said. "Once they went down, it was over."
Arundel Wildcats 1993 record: 11-3. Coach: Paul Yannuzzi.
Top players: Kim Kesselman, Sr., SB; Kristin Smeby, Jr., M; Shauna Donahue, Sr., F; Christy Nichols, Jr., M-F; Nicole Ross, Sr., M.
Outlook: Yannuzzi, last year's county Coach of the Year, was pleased with Arundel's 11-3 record last year and No. 13 ranking in The Baltimore Sun's final poll. But he will not be pleased if the Wildcats again lose in the first round of the regional playoffs, as they did to Old Mill. The squad is experienced, with 15 returnees, and hungry. The main strength will be the defense that revolves around Kesselman. With the departure of Barb Mueller (12 goals), Donahue and Nichols will have to deliver. Jill Jones, top scorer on the JV last year, figures to help the offense.
Broadneck Bruins 1993 record: 7-5. Coach: Leann Shuck.
Top players: Liz Goodrich, Sr., D; Jessica Hull, Sr., S; Meghan Branning, Sr., M;
Kellee Flynn, Sr., D; Leslie Rogalski, Sr., D; Tara Jensen, Sr., G; Meg Good, Soph., M; Megan Santacroce, Soph., M.
Outlook: First-year coach Shuck, successor to Dave Lord, likes the "very strong nucleus" she inherited. The Bruins, she says, will play a different style of soccer. "I believe in the short passing game; it's the way I play," said Shuck, who played at Broadneck and the University of Maryland. "The girls have enough skill to play this style, and they're doing a great job of adjusting to it, after being used to the long passing game." Since all county teams will be invited to the regional playoffs, Broadneck's objective is more lofty: Advance to the state playoffs.
Chesapeake Cougars 1993 record: 11-3-1. Coach: Lin Sullivan.
Top players: Melissa Wagner, Sr., S; Erin Thomas, Sr., HB; Maggie Dziuban, Sr., SB; Sandra Norris, Sr., G; Chrissy Kohlhepp, Jr., STB ; Stacey Reynolds, Jr., HB; Laura Basil, Soph., HH; Jennifer Davis, Soph., HB; Tami Barrington, Jr., FB.
Outlook: The Cougars are strong up the middle. The heart of the team consists of Wagner, Thomas, Kohlhepp, Dziuban and Norris, all of whom received all-state or all-county honors. Norris was on The Baltimore Sun's All-Metro first team. "We need to get support from others, too," Sullivan said. Chesapeake's only regular-season losses were to playoff teams Severna Park and Arundel, and it lost in the state semifinals to Dulaney, which went on to beat Severna Park in the final. "Our goal," Sullivan said, "is not to lose in the state semifinals this year."
Glen Burnie Gophers 1993 record: 2-10. Coach: Jon Van Orden.
Top players: Sam Miller, Sr., S; Coral Brandenburg, Sr., D; Jo Marion, Sr., M; Courtney Lemon, Soph., M; Jessica Bounelis, Jr., D.
Outlook: Van Orden has more players to pick from than in the past. Freshmen twins Marianne and Michelle Ogle, Laura Moody, Amy Shacklock and Nicki Bounelis, the latter two goalies, are competitive with the four seniors and four juniors. Five freshmen probably will start. "This is more talent than we've ever had," Van Orden said. "Because of the rec programs, these girls are coming to us ready to play. They have game experience and are able to make quick, smart decisions."
Meade Mustangs 1993 record: 1-10-1. Coach: Jon Putt.
Top players: Katie Clark, Sr., S; Delyza Diaz, Jr., W; Mary Rafter, Jr., M; Donna Remy, Sr., D; Meghan Hofer, Sr., D; Brandy Gregg, Jr., D; La'Tashia James, Sr., M.
Outlook: Meade is trying to recreate its success of the 1980s, when Julie McCormick starred and subsequently was acclaimed the county player of the decade. Her parents are back from a military stay in Korea, bringing with them daughter Beth, a senior who will play for Putt. "We do lose kids to military transfers," Putt said. "But we also unexpectedly gain new kids. From year to year, we don't know what we'll get." Putt's hopes for improvement are based in part on the fact that the 10 sophomores on last year's young team are now experienced juniors, and will mix with six seniors. The Mustangs exhibited improvement in a scrimmage against Bowie, which last year survived in the playoffs until encountering mighty Old Mill. "What's exciting is that we don't have to worry so much about a winning record because everybody can go to the regional playoffs now," Putt said. "You can go 1-10-1 or 0-12 and still get a shot at the top dog in the tournament."
North County Knights 1993 record: 5-7. Coach: Cara Hergan.
Top players: Melanie McMullen, Sr., G; Tracey Mrazeck, Jr., F, HB; Michelle Dillow, Sr., SB; Jennifer Tinsley, Sr., HB; Lisa Martin, Sr., HB; Teresa Horney, Sr., F; Lisa Colvin, Soph., F.
Outlook: First-year coach Hergan played soccer for North County and then St. Mary's College. She was greeted last month by nine seniors who arrived in shape, leading her to the early conclusion that the Knights will be able to run with most teams. "All nine seniors are starters," Hergan said. "Playing om the varsity level really brings up the confidence level." The Knights should be strong in the middle, but the outside backs will have to deliver for the overall defense to improve. "If we get that," Hergan said, "I can see us shutting out teams."
Northeast Eagles 1993 record: 5-7. Coach: Grafton Ray.
Top players: Amy Van Fossan, Sr., D; Marcia Gaskin, Sr., S; Kelly Frasure, Sr., D; Jen Johansen, Sr., M; Kelly Marshal, Sr., M; Maleah Rey, Sr., S; Lisa Petraglia, Sr., S.
Outlook: With eight seniors, seven of them starters, Northeast's hopes are up. The Eagles' strength centers on skilled ball handlers on offense such as Gaskin, Kristin Briggs and Rey, who have powerful shots. Success will hinge on intensity; the players are skilled enough. Ray is shooting for a record above .500, and a 2-1 or 3-0 mark after the first three games against Annapolis, Atholton and Meade would send the Eagles on their way.
@Old Mill Patriots 1993 record: 11-3. Coach: Bruce Sponsler.
Top players: Stephanie Rose, Sr., G; Kerri Eland, Sr., HB; Denise King, Sr., F; Julie Bender, Sr., HB; Alicia Curran, Sr., F; Jennifer Mazzola, Jr., F; Carina Sonberg, Jr., FB; Amber Wilkerson, Jr., FB; Kristen Wimbrow, Sr., FB.
Outlook: Old Mill, which finished No. 9 in The Baltimore Sun poll, lost eight players to graduation, including four-year starting goalie Jackie Bardelli, two-year starting sweeper Natalie Bell and county Player of the Year Michelle Salmon, now at the University of Maryland. "But we're deep," Sponsler said. "An unproven group will take over critical positions." The team's strength will be defense, led by Rose, Wimbrow, Wilkerson, Sonberg and Sara Kurzontkowski, a junior sweeper up from the JV. "We need to put the ball in the net because we lost 78 percent of our scoring through graduation," Sponsler said. "I'm not sure who will be our scorers, but I'm confident the holes will be filled."
@St. Mary's Saints 1993 record: 10-7-3. Coach: Jerry Tobin.
Top players: Kristin Buckley, Sr., M; Erin Hon, Sr., A; Jacqui Saunders, Sr., D; Stephanie Scannell, Sr., M; Melissa Murphy, Soph., M; Heidi Moldenhauer, Soph., M.
Outlook: The Saints finished third behind McDonogh and John Carroll in the Catholic League, bowing three times to 19-0 McDonogh. "A championship takes luck and health," Tobin said. "I'm not sure how that will go. But we'll give teams a run for their money." With four freshmen and four sophomores, St. Mary's will be young, especially on defense. The strength will be midfield and attack. Hon, all-state as a sophomore goalie, wanted a switch and got it last season, leading the team with 17 goals and four assists. eas
Severn Admirals 1993 record: 11-1-2. Coach: Tom Ehart.
Top players: Monique Jennings, Jr., F; Jessica Popham, Soph., HB; Julie Tice, Jr., HB; Kate Graw, Jr., D; Kelly Creech, Sr., D.
Outlook: Severn set school records for wins (11) and shutouts (eight) and won the Catholic League's B Division regular-season and tournament championships. There are 11 returnees, including the entire defense of Creech, Graw, Stephanie Tuerk, Caroline Cassidy and goalie Cara Lawson. Ehart says the Admirals will compensate for the loss of Sara Long (22 goals) by "scoring by committee," whose members will include freshman Carol Prickett.
Severna Park Falcons 1993 record: 14-2. Coach Joyce Stefancik.
Top players: Shannon Chaney, Jr., G; Lindsey Poland, Jr., M; Jess Hines, Sr. M; Michelle Rose, Sr., M; Susan Stanke, Jr., D; Katie Rowles, Fr., M; Jen Voishan, Jr., M; Tammy Permenter, Soph., S.
Outlook: The Falcons have ability, as usual, but Stefancik hasn't been able to put the puzzle together. Poland is subpar with a heel injury. Stefancik suspects "we'll score by committee," as the team did last season in reaching the state final (where it lost to Dulaney) and finishing No. 5 in The Baltimore Sun poll. There is strength in the goal, where Chaney is backed up by Lauren McAlister, who plays when Chaney is summoned as a midfielder or striker. "When we're behind, we use Shannon in the field," Stefancik said.
Southern Bulldogs 1993 record: 1-11. Coach: Monica Chaney.
Top players: Becky Archambo, Sr., HB; Tyra Neal, Sr., FB; Sarah Teitelbaum, Sr., HB; Dianah Johnson, Jr., G; Lindsey Lowman, Soph., HB; Jennifer Robinson, Jr., FB.
Outlook: Southern beat only Glen Burnie last season. The Bulldogs are loaded with halfbacks and front-line players, but the defense is questionable and Chaney is training people for different positions.
South River Seahawks 1993 record: 8-4-1. Coach: Will Pharr.
Top players: Megan Riley, Sr., G; Cassidie Dunbar, Sr., M; Jessica Marion, Jr., S; Kim Morehead, Sr, M.
Outlook: First-year coach Pharr was pleased to see the Class 2A Seahawks, in a scrimmage, handle 4A Centennial, which won a state title a few years ago. The team's strength will be defense, with Shannon Burchell, Amy Nye and Riley working well as a unit. The midfield also will be strong, with Dunbar and Kim Ball controlling the ball much of the time.