Bryn Mawr Mawrtians
1997 record: 12-6
Coach: AnneMarie Merow
Top players: Sarah Cook, Sr., M; Elizabeth Knight, Sr., F/M; Teresa Sherry, Jr., F; Sarah Isaacs, Jr., D; Nadia Chornodolsky, -- Jr., M; Katie Mack, Jr., F.
Outlook: The Mawrtians lost just three seniors and they should be a team to reckon with in the Catholic League B Division. In addition to returning a skilled, balanced squad, Merow has added some solid freshmen. The midfield is solid all over, Sherry (22 goals) will pace the attack and Isaacs and returning keeper Charlotte Elder anchor the defense.
Catholic Cubs
1997 record: 20-1-1
Coach: Jerry Dieter
Top players: Allison Merkle, Sr., M; Katie Rose Riegger, Jr., M; Lindsay Polec, So., M; Kristen Kane, Jr., D; Jamie Stankowski, Jr., D; Jill Bowers, So., F.
Outlook: Last year's Catholic League A Division champs suffered a huge hit from graduation, which claimed seven seniors, including three All-Metro players, but the Cubs suffered an even greater loss when All-Metro Player of the Year Becky Bieneman (25 goals, 17 assists) tore an anterior cruciate ligament last spring. Dieter hopes to have Bieneman back late in the season, but without her All-Metro halfback Merkle (10, 8) is the lone star. The Cubs have talent in their juniors and sophomores, many of whom saw action or started last year, as well as promising freshman strikers Megan McAuliffe and Alex Charchut, but they will be rebuilding every unit. The Cubs likely won't match last year's results, which included being ranked as high as No. 4 nationally, but if the youngsters jell, they could have something to say about the outcome of the A Division.
City Black Knights
1997 record: 3-9
Coach: Pat Finley
Top players: Anne Phillips, Sr. F; Carmen Brown, Fresh., F; Susanna Blair, Sr., M; Rosie Hicks, M/G, Jr.; Laura Kinne, Jr., F; Lloren Jones, Soph., M; Erin Cunningham, Soph., D; Maitreya Levanchild, Soph., D.
Outlook: After being the boys' assistant for two seasons, Finley replaces Justin Parke. Phillips, Blair and Hicks are returning starters, and Finley has been pleased with a good turnout. The Knights should be strong defensively and competitive. City should be in a battle for third along with Patterson.
Institute of Notre Dame Indians
1997 record: 3-10-2
Coach: Rick Loftus
Top players: Brandy Ault, Sr., F; Jess Karko, Jr., F/M; Angela Karasinski, Jr., M; Jen Leo, So., M; Christina Kelly, So., D.
Outlook: The Indians are looking to make a big move in the Catholic League's A Division this season. With only three starters lost, Loftus expects his team to be stronger at every position. Last year, second-team All-Metro striker Ault (19 goals, 13 assists) spent a lot of time in the midfield trying to give her team a boost on transition, but this year she will move back up front. Loftus has a strong contingent of midfielders who can push the ball up to Ault and can also score. With experience, balance and depth, Loftus expects his team finally to challenge the front-runners in the A Division.
Mercy Magic
1997 record: 12-5-4
Coach: Kevin Cromwell
Top players: Judith Vojik, Sr., F; Jessie Whippo, Sr., M; Jessie Eckerl, Sr., D; Jessie Steck, Sr., D; Jamie Vogtman, Sr., D; Kristi Korrow, Jr., M; Kaitie Schuyler, Jr., F.
Outlook: The Magic returns every starter from a young squad that did very well in the Catholic League A Division last year. It excelled defensively last year, but had trouble finishing. Cromwell looks for more offense this year. Still, a veteran defense, backed by goalie Jenn Williams, can keep the Magic in a lot of low-scoring games. With so much experience and leadership, the Magic should battle McDonogh and John Carroll for the A Division title.
Patterson Clippers
1997 record: 7-5
Coach: Ed Brzozowski
Top players: Melissa Reinhardt, Sr., F; Belinda Sufczynski, Soph., F; Rheannon Schaefer, Soph., M; Julie Yates, Sr., M; Elizabeth Utrera, Fresh., G; Kristin Kingsbury, Sr., F.
Outlook: Brzozowski is counting on Reinhardt and Sufczynski to provide scoring, but the key may be Utrera in goal. The Clippers are very skilled, though inexperienced. If the defense develops, Patterson could be a serious challenger to Western and Poly.
Poly Engineers
1997 record: 8-3-1
Coach: Carlos Lopez Rodriguez
Top players: Heather Myers, Jr., M; Brandis Matthews, Sr., F; Hannan Salem, Jr., F.
Outlook: The Engineers are primed to challenge Western for the City title. Nine players return, and Rodriguez has been impressed with his freshman class. There's much speed, especially at forward. Rodriguez, who coached the girls squad from 1992 to 1994 before coaching the boys for three seasons, will use a control offense. Poly may have the tools to end Western's run as city champs.
Roland Park Reds
1997 record: 14-4
Coach: Bill Harte
Top players: Mary McCeney, Jr., M; Tania Markowski, Jr., M; Caline McHenry, Jr., F; Jen Feige, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Reds appeared to be headed for a rebuilding season last year in the Catholic League B Division. Instead, they ended up in the title game, falling to Severn, 3-1. After losing only three starters, the Reds have only one goal -- to win it all this year. New coach Harte is trying to build off the momentum of last year and the Reds look solid up and down the field.
Seton Keough Gators
1997 record: 5-11-2
Coach: Lisa Gavin
Top players: Christina Thompson, Jr., F; Meaghan Allan, Jr., F; Nikki Brown, Jr., D; Johnna Fellows, Sr., M; Denise King, Jr., F; Mary David, Sr., G.
Outlook: The Gators struggled in the Catholic League A Division last year after winning the B Division in 1996. Gavin, last year's JV coach, is hoping to bring more continuity to a team that lost just two starters. With more experience and more balance, the Gators return a good core of veterans in each unit. Gavin would like to see them become more offense-oriented and has several players capable of finishing.
Southern Bulldogs
1997 record: 1-9
Coach: Brandi Reina
Top players: Tanya Mosher, Sr., M; Jennifer Hoover, Jr., G; Lisa Airey, Sr., F; Wendy Cavaugh, Sr., M; Amy Arnold, Sr., F; Tiffany Sparra, Sr., F.
Outlook: The Bulldogs lost half their team to graduation. Reina has been pleased so far, especially with some freshmen with playing experience. Reina says the Bulldogs lack overall skills, which doesn't bode well in a league with Western and Poly. If Southern's freshmen can mesh with the holdovers, it could be respectable.
Western Doves
1997 record: 11-1-1
Coach: Paul Plott
Top players: Jamaica Woods, Jr., F/M; Dietra Moore, Sr., F; Saustina Dodson, Jr., F; Autumn Wilkins, Sr., F; Diana Boyce, Sr., Outlook: The Doves lost seven starters from last year's city title -- squad. Plott says Western will be a slow, but strong passing team. Eight freshmen will be on the varsity roster, with two starting, said Plott. Though inexperienced, Western should again the team to beat in the city.
Pub Date: 9/02/98