Catonsville Comets
1993 record: 1-9. Coach: Kathy Schuyler.
Top players: Marcia Russo, Sr., M; Caryn Kahler, Sr., M; Katie Zeller, Sr., M; Angie Mingheni, Sr., D; Chris Cush, Soph., D.
Outlook: The Comets were able to hold their own on defense last season, but they had difficulty scoring. Improving the offense, therefore, is Schuyler's top priority, and she believes the addition of sophomore Lauren Nopulos could be the key. "A .500 season is what I'm looking for. But I may have higher goals real soon," Schuyler said.
Chesapeake Bayhawks
1993 record: 5-6-1. Coach: Corliss Johnson.
Top players: Kim Bevins, Sr., D; Ann Nida, Sr., D; Kerri Hopkins, Jr., F; Ariane Sullivan, Sr., F; Courtney Rohde, Jr., F.
Outlook: The Bayhawks return five starters and have the potential to improve upon last season's record. The team is strong defensively, but Johnson said the offense needs to be more aggressive. "We haven't worked up to the potential of the team we had last year. But once we're in a groove, we should surpass last year's team," Johnson said.
Dulaney Lions
1993 record: 5-6. Coach: Melba Williams.
Top players: Christina Chillemi, Sr., D; Karen Libby, Jr., F; Liz Keible, Sr., D; Mary Enock, Jr., F; Courtney Ball, Sr., F.
Outlook: Williams, in her 29th season at Dulaney, expects the Lions to rebound from a disappointing 1993 season, in which they fell short of expectations and didn't make the playoffs. The Lions, who return seven starters, figure to be a strong defensive team. Dulaney lacks speed, but Williams believes her team's intelligent play will make up for it.
Dundalk Owls
1993 record: 3-6-3. Coach: Ann Merritt.
Top players: Eliza Nowicki, Sr., M; Sarah Thall, Soph., F; Noel Palazzi, Sr., F; Candace Flamm, Jr., F; Tia Taylor, Jr., D.
Outlook: It will be a rebuilding season for the Owls, who have 15 players who are playing the sport for the first time. But despite her team's inexperience, Merritt has been pleasantly surprised by what she has seen in practice. "These kids have never held a stick until two weeks ago, but I think we will improve every game, and hopefully give some teams a fit," Merritt said.
Franklin Indians
1993 record: 5-5. Coach: Carol Smith.
Top players: Shannon Bamonto, Sr., M; Lacey Wilson, Jr., M; Lisa Bradley, Jr., D; Amy Whitcomb, Jr., G; Jennifer Stephenson, Sr., F.
Outlook: The Indians, who dropped to .500 last season -- their worst record in 14 years under Smith -- should be on the rise again. Franklin returns all but one starter and appears to be equally strong on offense and defense. Among the returnees are Bamonto, an All-County player on defense, and Stephenson, the leading returning scorer (12 goals, four assists last season).
Hereford Bulls
1993 record: 10-2. Coach: Tammy Mundie.
Top players: Audra Trouland, Sr., D; Kristin Harrison, Sr., G; Kim Hardesty, Sr., F; Susan Minton, Sr., M; Jennifer Krantz, Jr., F.
Outlook: The Bulls return 11 players, five of whom were starters, from last season's team that was eliminated in the first round of the regionals. With a strong attack, first-year coach Mundie believes her team has the talent to go further this season. "They're highly skilled and quick, and [the attack] communicates and works the ball together nicely," Mundie said.
Kenwood Bluebirds
1993 record: 10-3. Coach: Vera Jensen.
Top players: Tracy Dobson, Sr., D; Kelly Shearer, Jr., M; Kelly Bess, Jr., G; Amanda Nettleyon, Jr., F.
Outlook: The Bluebirds will have to compensate for the graduation of high-scoring forward Danielle Baker and talented goalie Colleen Bess. First-year coach Jensen expects a more balanced offense this season. She cites the midfield and defense as the Bluebirds' strengths. "Our goal is to reach .500, but we have the capability to do real well," she said.
Lansdowne Vikings
1993 record: 2-9-1. Coach: Debbie Henkel.
ATop players: Lynn Schwartz, Sr., F; Becky Williams, Sr., G; Jenny Clements, Sr., M; Chris Catterton, Jr., D.
Outlook: Henkel is hoping the Vikings can reach .500, but they will have to score more than the five goals they scored last season to do so. Lansdowne returns only three starters and could be in store for another long season unless its inexperienced players develop quickly. Henkel has been impressed by her team's aggressiveness.
Loch Raven Raiders
1993 record: 9-3. Coach: Wendy Galinn.
Top players: Alison Jones, Sr., F; Gia Trionfo, Sr., F; Kelly White, Sr., D; Kara Kreafle, Jr., M; Sony Seccurro, Jr., M.
Outlook: The Raiders lost six starters from last season's regional semifinalist team, but a nucleus of players from an undefeated JV should keep Loch Raven near the top of the 1A-2A League. First-year coach Galinn, who coached the JV for two years, has been impressed by the Raiders' teamwork and communication skills. "We may have some growing pains early, but we will be tough by the end of the season," she said.
Overlea Falcons
1993 record: 7-5. Coach: Patti Rector.
Top players: Carley Shiflett, Sr., F; Thalia Kaliakoudas, Sr., M; Maria Gialamas, Sr., M; Jennifer Hercex, Jr., G; Jennifer Windsor, Soph., F.
Outlook: The Falcons went from 5-7-1 in 1992 to 7-5 last season, but they might be taking a step backward. Overlea lost eight players to graduation, including five starters. "We're hoping for a .500 season. We have five or six new players, and we should be
better by the end of the season," Rector said.
Owings Mills Eagles
1993 record: 0-11. Coach: Sarah Krucoff.
FTop players: Julie Levi, Sr., D; Karin Pearl, Sr., M; Elysa Wolf, Sr., M; Stacy Fox, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Eagles return nine players, but Krucoff doesn't have any unrealistic expectations. "We're hoping to put at least one win up on the board. I see improvement, but we need to be more aggressive," she said. Defense should be a strength for Owings Mills.
Parkville Knights
1993 record: 6-4. Coach: Norma Bankard.
Top players: Erin Shipley, Sr., M; Brenda Schisler, Sr., D; Jen Kraft. Jr., F.
Outlook: Bankard believes her team was just a break or two from having a big year last season. She has five starters returning from that team, although some people will be playing new positions. "We should be competitive. The girls have a strong desire to do well," Bankard said.
Patapsco Patriots
1993 record: 4-7. Coach: Lori Sauer.
Top players: Danette Edwards, Sr., F; Jamie Phillips, Sr., F; Erin -- Jackson, Jr., D; Angie Herold, Jr., D; Megan Heroth, Soph., G.
Outlook: The Patriots fell to 4-7 last season after an 11-2 record. It could be another rebuilding season. Twelve of Patapsco's 20 players are sophomores, but first-year coach Sauer said, "A lot of the players went to camp." Sauer cited quickness and defense as the Patriots' best assets.
Perry Hall Gators
1993 record: 12-1. Coach: Linda Fisher.
Top players: Kaira Carter, Sr., G; Lori Grant, Sr., D; Amanda Kelly, Sr., M; Krisan Pfeifer, Sr., F.
Outlook: The Gators have only three starters back from last season's team, which lost to Westminster in the region final for the second consecutive season. Perry Hall appears to have some holes to fill at both ends of the field. "We won't go through the regular season undefeated like we did last year, but we're hoping to get to the regionals," Fisher said.
Pikesville Panthers
1993 record: 11-3. Coach: Tim Fowler.
Top players: Beth Cohen, Sr., F; Laurie Better, Sr,. D; Stephanie Flax, Sr., F; Laurie Weiss, Sr., F; Melissa Sugar, Sr., M.
Outlook: Fowler is enthusiastic about his team, and with good reason. Ten players, including six starters, from last season's state semifinalist squad return. Cohen, the Panthers' second-leading scorer last season (15 goals), leads a strong attack. "We're strong all the way through. The girls are very determined to get back to the states," Fowler said.
Sparrows Point Pointers
1993 record: 5-7. Coach: Julie Taylor.
Top players: Adria Carlini, Sr., G; Becky Smith, Sr., F; Corey Dillon, Sr., F; Nikki Karacoulakis, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Pointers made strides last season when they won five games after a winless season in 1992. They might be hard-pressed to repeat last season's record, however. Sparrows Point has just five players with experience. "It will be a growing year. We'll be inexperienced, but our new players are athletic and have picked up skills very quickly," Taylor said.
Towson Generals
1993 record: 8-4. Coach: Pat Troyer.
Top players: Leslie Finn, Sr., F; Katie Walker, Sr., D; Sarah Wetzel, Sr., D; Lauren Henning, Sr., F; Kathy Gibbons, Sr., F.
Outlook: It could be a big season for the Generals, who are seeking their first appearance in the state semifinals since 1991. Eleven of the team's 15 seniors are three-year varsity players. Towson has speed, depth and talent on offense and defense. "These girls are dedicated to the sport. Seventy-five percent of them play just field hockey," Troyer said.
Woodlawn Warriors
1993 record: 4-8. Coach: Sally Maycock.
Top players: Keisha Wynn, Jr., F; Tersheia Sheely, Jr., D; Tarn Puviparomquan, Soph., F; Nancy Moran, Soph., G; Andrea Lanni, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Warriors went 4-8 last season after an 0-10-1 mark in 1992. Maycock hopes the improvement continues, but Woodlawn might have difficulty bettering last season's mark. The Warriors graduated eight seniors and have six freshmen. "The girls really don't have the stickwork, but they are real aggressive," Maycock said.