Annapolis Panthers
1997 record: 9-5
Top players: Caitlin Stone, Sr., A; Mattie Phillips, Sr., A; Emily Childs, Jr., G; Jessie White, Sr., M; Megan Haislip, Sr., M; Meredith Paone, Jr., D.
Outlook: With Stone leading an aggressive attack, Childs tough to get past in goal and plenty of experienced talent in between, the Panthers are priming themselves for a big season. Eleven regulars are back from last year's squad that reached the Class 4A East Region final. Stone, whose nine goals and eight assists earned her first-team All-County honors last fall, joins Phillips for their fourth season of varsity on attack. White brings a good understanding of the game in the middle with Childs taking charge in back.
Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers
1997 record: 7-6-4
Coach: Mary Pat Bozel
Top players: Katie O'Connell, Sr., M; Kristen Walker, Jr., D; Michele Grimason, Sr., A; Meghan Swartzmeyer, Sr., A; Amanda Paxson, Sr., D; Katie Mannix, Jr., M.
Outlook: After going 2-9-1 in their first AIS A Division season in 1996, the Cavaliers got over the .500 mark last year and have bigger expectations this fall. A goal-hungry attack featuring O'Connell and plenty of balance will lead the way. Bozel expects plenty of goals. The Cavaliers lost two standouts to graduation -- first-team All-Metro goalie Malia Swieconek and first-team All-County attacker Kat Brady -- but Bozel has been impressed with how well-rounded and cohesive this group has looked in practice. Walker, in her third varsity season, will play a big role at her center back spot, with Paxson another standout on defense. The Cavaliers had 19 freshmen come out this season, the most in Bozel's nine years at Spalding.
Arundel Wildcats
1997 record: 7-4-2
Coach: Clint Gosnell
Top players: Sarah Sayani, Sr., M; Katie Stoddard, Sr., D; Lindsey Schiesz, Sr., A; Amy Rogers, Sr., A; Laura Silverman, Sr., D; Becky Weiss, Sr., G; Emily Walther, Jr., D; Jill Marano, So., M.
Outlook: Gosnell loves his team's attitude: "They just play hard and have fun doing it. This is a fun bunch." And a talented one, too. The Wildcats have a nice mix of experienced players with some promising newcomers, leaving Gosnell optimistic for another fine campaign. The Wildcats have no absolute standouts and also no glaring weaknesses. Sayani, a four-year varsity player, provides stability at midfield with Schiesz, who missed half of last season with a broken foot, ready to go up front with Rogers. Weiss, who replaces standout Megan Tidwell in the cage, has looked impressive in practice. "Becky came out prepared knowing she had some big shoes to fill," said Gosnell. Marano, also a talented guard on the Wildcats' basketball team, brings plenty of athleticism to the center midfield position to lead a strong sophomore group. "If we can score, we'll be fine," said Gosnell.
Broadneck Bruins
1997 record: 7-8
Coach: Phoebe Kelly
Top players: Justyn Kopack, Sr. A; Ann Lerian Sr., A; Shannon Rigling, Sr., A; Andrea Schnell, Sr., M; Courtney Basile, Sr., A; Kristen Maisel, Sr., M; Lindsey Stone, Sr., D; Megan Atkinson, Jr., Amanda McElwee, Jr., MF; Mara Swieconek, Jr., MF.
Outlook: The majority of a deep senior class are playing in their third season of varsity together with thoughts of putting it all together and making a strong run this fall. Kelly lost only three starters from last year -- one wing, one midfielder and one defender -- so there's plenty of experienced talent everywhere. "Each girl has made extra efforts to improve this season with a lot of them going to camps," said Kelly. The offense is fast and aggressive with balance throughout. The Bruins are working on setting up more scoring options and should be equally effective on the left and right sides. Kelly said the defense has improved, with Sara Glassman the anchor in goal.
Chesapeake Cougars
1997 record: 11-5
Coach: Jerry Taylor
Top players: Megan Skiles, Sr., D; Valerie Bryant, Sr., G; Marge Burba, Sr., A; April Ervin, Sr., A; Colleen Plitt, Sr., M; Lory Richter, Sr., M; Pam Hemmings, Jr., D; Emily Ison, Jr., D/A.
Outlook: An abundance of talented players graduated -- including Metro Player of the Year Wendy Ison at midfield -- but veteran coach Taylor, formerly Jerry Raab, said her team should be just as competitive after a couple of games to jell. The Cougars lost 10 seniors from last year's team that reached the county championship game and region final, but Taylor said the competition to fill the vacant positions has been healthy. Most of the experience is back on defense, with Skiles leading the way as a second-team All-County performer last season. Bryant, who takes over the duties in goal for graduated Rana Schreiber, saw some varsity time in the cage as a junior. Plitt and Ervin are expected to take care of the scoring burden.
Meade Mustangs
1997 record: 5-5-2
Coach: Angela King
Top players: Shelly Sorenson, Sr., D; Monika Walker, Sr., D; Etta Edwards, Sr., MF; Virginia Johnson, Sr., D; Angela Remy, Sr., A; Alicia Donahue, Sr., A.
Outlook: King, who played three years of varsity at South River, takes over for former coach Nikki Meshbesher with the Mustangs in a rebuilding mode. She's stressing fundamentals, hard work and playing together with a skilled but inexperienced group. A lot of the talent this season is on defense with Sorenson, Walker and Johnson, who replaces two-time first-team All-County performer T. J. Driver at sweeper. Senior Tara Golden, up from the JV, and junior newcomer Jennifer Gonzalez are vying for the goalie job. Edwards provides experience at midfield, with Remy looked upon to do much of the scoring up top.
North County Knights
1997 record: 0-11
Coach: Brian Bowles
Top players: Amanda Stevens, Jr., A; Katie Bryuchalski, Sr., G; Stephanie Cavill, Sr., F; Jen Stevens, Sr., M; Stacy King, So., D; Megan Willey, So., M; Talyor Behrendt, So., A; Sara Escudero, So., A; Stephanie Chaney, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Knights got a head start with their first-ever North County Field Hockey Camp over the summer and Bowles is impressed with the enthusiasm his young team has shown in practice. Only three starters are back from last year's varsity and the majority of this season's roster is underclassmen -- including seven sophomores. "The camp had them thinking about field hockey before we started. We're changing our teaching techniques and increasing our tactical skills," said Bowles, in his fourth season. Amanda Stevens, Jen Stevens and Bryuchalski will provide leadership as the team's tri-captains with Cavill another veteran to provide scoring. King has shown plenty of promise on defense to lead the youth movement. The Knights are still a year or two away from breaking through.
Old Mill Patriots
1997 record: 2-10
Coach: Denise Hermann
Top players: Jen Pierce, Sr., G; Janet Gonzalez, Sr., A; Pauline Kirkham, Sr., M; Corrie Dotson, Jr., A; Kathy Wilson, Jr., D; Kelly Schnieder, Jr., A; Sara Smothers, Jr., A; Cindy Lee, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Patriots had seven players score last season, but just not often enough. Finding the cage more regularly is the primary concern going into this season and their biggest focus in practice. "The girls played well last year but couldn't finish. The skill level is there and we're concentrating on set pieces," said Hermann. Gonzalez's good hard shot is a starting point, with Hermann expecting to see the scoring once again spread out. A handful of juniors also will be counted on up front. Pierce is a three-year starter in goal, with Wilson and Lee providing solid support in front of her, offsetting the loss of first-team All-County defender Dawn Wine. Kirkham will be the key link with junior Karri Shives a versatile performer who can play up front or at midfield.
St. Mary's Saints
1997 record: 8-7-5
Coach: Patti Lavell
Top players: Whitney Carroll, Sr., D; Kelly Moran, Sr., A; Gretchen Awalt, Sr., A; Courtney Thornton, Jr., M; Elizabeth Bon Schwarz, Sr., A; Jamie McGraw, Jr., M.
Outlook: There's talent spread throughout the Saints' lineup this season, led by second-team All-County defender Carroll, Thornton at midfield and a balanced attack that will try to offset the loss of graduated scorer Erin Willett. In all, the Saints lost seven players to graduation, including four starters, but that hardly compares to the 13 they lost following their 14-5-1 campaign in 1996. Moran, Awalt and Bon Schwarz will be relied on to lead the attack. Addie Lewis and Pam Gateau -- both juniors -- are vying for the goalie duties, and Lavell said both have played well in practice.
Severn Admirals
1997 record: 8-7-1
Coach: Renie Sotiropoulis
Top players: Bif Moorshead, Sr., D; Jen Scott, Sr., F; Ashley Dodson, So., MF/A; Brenley Jacobs, So., G; Jane Friend, Jr., G; Meg Myers, Jr., D; Meg Veltman, Sr., D.
Outlook: Sotiropoulis has liked what she's seen so far in practice, with six returning starters meshing well with five newcomers. The Admirals are particularly strong in the middle with Moorshead, who earned first-team All-County honors in her second season of varsity last fall. Her athleticism and fine sense of the field enables her to dominate stretches of a game. "She anchors our defensive midfield and provides a lot of our scoring opportunities," said Sotiropoulis. Moorshead has plenty of help around her with Scott and Dodson leading the way. Jacobs and Friend are both effective in goal with Veltman and Myers providing the necessary support. "We're stronger and more focused. Our attack is a lot deeper and we'll spread out the scoring. Our bench is also a lot deeper and the new kids are meshing well with the veterans," said Sotiropoulis.
Severna Park Falcons
1997 record: 17-1
Coach: Lil Shelton
Top players: Sara Zuckerman, Sr., M; Julie Shank, Sr., D; Jess Gaither, Sr., M; Erin Shaklee, Jr., A; Beth Davis, Sr., A; Jess Mundt, Sr., A; Katie Tewes, Sr., M; Kim Lawton, Sr., G.
Outlook: The Falcons captured their state-record 10th Class 4A state title last fall and there's no reason to believe they won't add another this fall. Zuckerman, a second-team National All-America selection last fall who scored nine goals and had seven assists, leads a group that is talented and deep -- typical Severna Park. First-team All-County performer Gaither (13 goals, assists in 1997) leads the attack that also boasts second-teamers Davis and Shaklee. Mundt also scored some big goals for the Falcons last season. "The passing has looked excellent-- very crisp and precise -- and there's a lot of power," said Shelton, who earned her 300th career win last season. The Falcons lost first-team All-Metro standout Krista Bowerman in back and fellow defender Christine Ballance, a second-team All-County performer, but have plenty of experience back led by Shank.
Southern Bulldogs
1997 record: 4-8
Coach: Carolyn Knowles
Top players: Alicia Groveston, Sr., M; Jessica Kinnahan, Sr., A/M; Mireya Tamayo, Sr., A; Hannah Crandell, Sr., G; Alaina Nutwell, So., D; Abbie Redman, Sr., M/A.
Outlook: Knowles says this year's team is the fastest she's had in her 11 years coaching at Southern. More players than ever went to summer field hockey camps to polish their skills. A total of 11 players are back with varsity experience. There's plenty of reason for optimism in Harwood this season. It starts with the Bulldogs three captains: Groveston, Redman and Kinnahan. Groveston is the centerpiece at midfield, Kinnahan is coming off a seven-goal junior season to lead a balanced attack and Redman can play either wing or midfield. Tamayo is another dependable scorer up front. Crandell has experience in goal, and Nutwell, one of four freshmen starters from last season back, is a talented underclassman at sweeper. Knowles' daughter, Leslie, a University of Virginia grad, will be the assistant coach.
South River Seahawks
1997 record: 5-8
Coach: Laura Gerrior
Top players: Rebecca Hopkins, Sr., D/M; Amie Ward, Sr., G; Jackie Colaccio, So., A; Linda Jack, Sr., A; Lauren Duckman, Jr., A; Meghan Murphy, Sr., M; Kristen Sinnett, Jr., M.
Outlook: The Seahawks made significant strides in Gerrior's first season as coach last fall, winning four more games than the year before. They would like to continue the upward trend with seven starters returning. More structure on offense has been the primary focus in practice while an untested but athletic defense will learn as it goes. Hopkins will play a vital role in the middle with Colaccio, a freshman starter last year, showing promise as a finisher up front. Gerrior said none of her projected starters on defense had picked up a stick prior to summer league play. That could make Ward the busiest goalkeeper in the county while the defense gets settled in. Gerrior is confident her team captain is up for the challenge. "She's very aggressive and always talking. She's a good leader back there," said Gerrior.
Top 15
1. Severna Park
2. Westminster
3. St. Paul's
4. Roland Park
5. Francis Scott Key
6. Bryn Mawr
7. Garrison Forest
8. Bel Air
9. North Carroll
10. Notre Dame Prep
11. Mount Hebron
12. Severn
13. Towson
14. Hereford
15. Chesapeake-AA
Pub Date: 9/02/98