Bryn Mawr Mawrtians
1994 record: 9-4-1. Coach: Libby Davis.
Top players: Emily Hickman, Jr., M; Christine Lazatin, Sr., M; Ramsey Neale, Sr., A; Nancy Kim, Sr., A; Christine Lee, Sr., D; Kristin Garro, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Mawrtians ended last season ranked No. 13 and nine seniors return. With a mix of veterans and promising newcomers, the Mawrtians should make a strong run at improving. The defense is a bit young in terms of experience, but a strong bench, balanced scoring and speed in the midfield should provide time for quick development.
Catholic Cubs
1994 record: 0-10. Coach: Amy Rose.
Top players: Kate Grubb, Sr., A; Gretchen Frey, Sr., A; Vicki Battaglia, Jr., D; Jessica Peacock, Soph., A; Stephanie Blevins, Sr., A.
Outlook: The Cubs took their lumps in their first season of AIS B Division competition, but Rose thinks they are ready to win a few games. Nine seniors graduated, but this team has more finesse, better depth and a stronger knowledge of the game. The key is getting more aggressive on attack and taking shots rather than
passing off.
City Knights
1994 record: 2-1-0. Coach: Amy Houston.
Top players: Ebony Thompson, Sr., M; Olayemi Ikusika, Sr., A; Molly Cohen, Jr., A; Jennifer Jacobs, Sr., A.
Outlook: Houston takes over this team after coaching the middle school program at Roland Park County School, and said she is pleasantly surprised by the skill level. Thompson and Ikusika, a transfer from Poly, will lead the attack, which Houston said is very quick. Houston said the team is very motivated, and the fact that they have only three underclassmen should make City one of the top teams in the citywide league.
Forest Park Foresters
1994 record: 3-3-0. Coach: Robert Britt.
Top players: Twanda Sands, Jr., D; Camilla Green, Soph., A; Kita Gross, Soph., M; Stacey Leach, Jr., D; Tracey Leach, Jr., D.
Outlook: This team only has two seniors, but Britt is optimistic about its chances. The attack will be led by Green, and sophomore Tiffany Taylor, and should be the strength of the team. Only four players graduated from last year's team, but two of them were defensive starters, so Britt is concerned
with his back line. Sands, the only returning defensive starter, will need to provide leadership if the Foresters are to do well. Britt said if the team finds a defense, it will be a force in the citywide league.
Friends Quakers
1994 record: 4-5-1. Coach: Carol Samuels.
Top players: Summer Downing, Sr., M; Lauren Ellis, Sr., D; Tracy Harrison, Sr., M; Annie Holder, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Quakers are always tough on defense and this year should be no exception. They have speed and good connections in the midfield, but this AIS A Division squad also needs some scoring from the
veteran midfield while the line attack develops. Samuels said this year's team has better chemistry, so if that ability to work together translates into goals, the Quakers should post a winning record.
Institute of Notre Dame Indians
1994 record: 5-6-1. Coach: Mary Beth Bollinger.
Top players: Debbie Krastel, Sr., A; Kim Kelly, Jr., A; Melissa Sexton, Jr., A; Tina Schofield, Jr., D; Melissa Slater, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Indians, AIS B Division tournament finalists two years ago, have a fine attack combination in Krastel and Kelly, who have worked together for several years. However, they lost a number of defenders, so that's where Bollinger has the Indians working hardest. Freshman keeper Jill Thanner has plenty of potential along with some other young defenders.
Mercy Sharpshooters
1994 record: 8-7. Coach: Joy Bogusky.
Top players: Maura Hilgartner, Sr., D; Heather Misciewitz, Sr. M; Shannon Cohen, Sr., A; Megan Evans, Sr., G; Anne Balser, Sr, D; Kellee Yates, Sr., A.
Outlook: In her first season, Bogusky nearly tripled the Sharpshooters' win total and guided a young team to the AIS B Division title game where they lost by one goal to Park. Most of those starters return, making the Sharpshooters a favorite again. While strength returns on attack and defense, the midfield should be the most improved area.
1994 record: 3-1-0. Coach: Lillian Brown.
Top players: Keisha Todd, Soph., A; Nakisha Lewis, Jr., A; Chamika Hill, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Wildcats return five players from last year's team. Brown said she expected a better turnout than 15 players, so depth could be a problem. Northwestern should have a lot of speed, but Brown said that finding a capable goalkeeper has been a challenge. This team features many underclassmen and no seniors, so look for Northwestern to build for the future.
Patterson Clippers
1994 record: 7-2-0. Coach: Wrae Wene.
Top players: Tishina Lacey, Sr., A; Sue Hunt, Sr., A; Adrienne Briley, Sr., D; Amy Collett, Sr., A; Teresa Scheve, Sr., A.
Outlook: Wene said the team has seven strong returnees and likes the devotion the players have shown to the sport. Scheve, a
third-year player who played a year on the boys team before Baltimore City started girls lacrosse, should lead the attack. The Clippers have the benefit of several players who were captains of other teams, so leadership should not be a problem. Speed was a problem for the Clippers last year, and Wene said she has been pushing the team hard to improve its endurance. This team only lost two players from last year and should again be one of the powers in the citywide league.
Poly Engineers
1994 record: 5-1-0. Coach: Adreon Hubbard.
Top players: Michelle Miller, Soph., A; Shawnee McGloin, Sr., M; Adrienne Carey, G-D, Jr.; Kathleen Espino, Jr., D; Lisa Wisniewski, Jr., M.
Outlook: The best team in the citywide league last year, the Engineers lost only to Joppatowne in a nonleague game. Hubbard has the luxury of 20 players, more than any other team in the league, and the extra depth should help. Most of the players return from last year, and Hubbard said they have a good foundation in basic skills. The Engineers will rely on Miller and McGloin to do most of the scoring, and most of the defense returns. Look for Poly to be one of the dominant teams in the league again.
Roland Park Reds
1994 record: 15-0. Coach: Wendy Kridel.
Top players: Lizzy Bennett, Jr., A; Hedy Born, Jr., A; Ridgely Bennett, Sr., D; Melissa Coyne, Soph., G; Kellie MacDougal, Sr., M; Meredith Shuey, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Reds have won four straight AIS A Division titles, capping off last year with their first No. 1 ranking. Although they lost some huge talents, including All-Metro first-teamers Peggy Boutilier and Melissa Cully, they return eight starters -- more than enough strength to make a run at a fifth title. With balance all over the field and a strong keeper in Coyne, the Reds boast a
fluid attack and a veteran defense.
Seton Keough Gators
1994 record: 7-7. Coach: Sue Behringer.
Top players: Katie Loovis, Sr., D; Katie Sparks, Sr., M; Kim Howes, Sr., A; Jen Wagener, Sr., A; Megann Donovan, Jr., M.
Outlook: The Gators have all the ingredients for going back over .500 in the AIS A Division, and Behringer said it's just a matter of putting them all together. Defensively, the Gators have some spots to fill but returning Loovis, an All-Metro first-teamer, and Sparks is a good start. The attack returns intact and there is plenty of proven scoring.
Western Doves
1994 record: 1-4-0. Coach: Jeannine Joseph.
Top players: Letarsha Smith, Jr., D; Danielle Bassham, Jr., A; Heather Braswell, Sr., A; Kathy Hicks, Sr., A; Kerri Harman, Soph., G.
Outlook: The Doves had a tough season last year and could be in for more of the same with 10 of 19 players playing for the first time. Joseph said the team works well together, and she likes the enthusiasm it has shown so far. The defense is a concern, although Joseph said that Harman is a natural in the goal. This is a building year for Western, so look for the program to continue to improve as players learn the game.