Johns Hopkins
1998 record: 14-3 (NCAA Division III quarterfinalist)
Coach: Janine Tucker (sixth season, 68-16)
Top returnees: Danielle Maschuci, Jr., A; Neda Dawood, Sr., A; Mimi Sokolowski, Sr., D; Nancy Kim, Sr., A; Laurie Better, Sr., M; Elizabeth Koza, Jr., M; Ramsey Neale, Sr., D.
Outlook: After 23 years in Division III, the Blue Jays not only make their Division I debut this season, but they play host to the national championships as well. Coming off a second straight appearance in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III tournament, the Blue Jays picked a good time to move up since seven starters return. Tucker plans a gradual improvement in schedule, so while the Jays have a challenging season ahead, they will face only three teams ranked in the Top 20 -- North Carolina, Duke and George Mason. Their attack is ready with the top two scoring threats returning -- third-team All-American Maschuci (52 goals, 35 assists) and Dawood (43, seven). However, defense will be key in Division I, and the Jays have capable leaders in veterans Sokolowski and Neale.
1998 record: 13-4 (NCAA quarterfinalist)
Coach: Diane Aikens (11th season, 122-50)
Top returnees: Maria DiTommaso, Sr., A; Chelsea Morley, Jr., M; Therese Naab, Jr., D; Kathleen O'Shea, Sr., M; Megan Santacroce, Soph., M; Dana Cappello, Soph. M; Kory Miller, Jr., M; Stephanie Sweet, Jr., M.
Outlook: Young is the best way to describe this Loyola team, but talented may be the next best way. With 13 players and three All-Americans gone from last year's roster, nine promising freshmen likely will make or break the Greyhounds' season as well as their ability to continue a 21-game regular-season Colonial Athletic Association winning streak. It didn't help to lose the lone returning All-American, midfielder Jenny Testrake (32, six), to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in fall ball. O'Shea (27, one) and DiTommaso (11, two) likely will lead the attack and CAA Rookie of the Year Santacroce (20, 2) and speedy Morley (7, 3) also will contribute. Naab is the lone veteran on line defense, Loyola's strength last season. The Greyhounds also have a new goal-keeping crew. Emily Evans, a transfer from Maryland, will vie for the starting spot with freshmen Tricia Dabrowski and Kate Plantholt.
Maryland
1998 record: 18-3 (national champion)
Coach: Cindy Timchal (ninth season, 127-11)
Top returnees: Alex Kahoe, Jr., G; Kristin Sommar, Jr., M; Christie Jenkins, Jr., M; Tonia Porras, Jr., M; Jen Adams, Soph., A; Quinn Carney, Soph., A; Meredith Egan, Soph., M; Kerri Mulligan, Jr., A; Allison Comito, Soph., A; Courtney Martinez, Soph., M.
Outlook: The Terps will be out to win their fifth straight national title, and after last year, few would bet against them. Despite losing their first two games and the Atlantic Coast Conference final last season, the Terps polished off a stunning turnaround by beating Virginia in the national final, 11-5. The Terps are once again young and once again ranked No. 1 in preseason. There are no seniors, but seven starters return, including All-Americans Kahoe, Sommar and Jenkins. Despite losing National Midfielder of the Year Sascha Newmarch and All-America Cathy Nelson, who provided 40 percent of the attack, Timchal expects this group to be even better. Jenkins (30, nine), Sommar (14, 14), Adams (27, 17) and Carney (27, 17) bring back strong numbers. Defensively, the Terps will need a boost just as they did last year, but Porras and Kahoe, who set a school record for saves (269) for a second straight year, should lead the way.
1998 record: 12-4
Coach: Janet Flora Anderson (second season, 12-4)
Top returnees: Jen Stocker, Sr., A; Kelly Shearer, Jr., D; Erica Hensley, Jr., M; Lacey Morley, Jr., M; Sarah Schaffner, Jr., M; Gwyneth Fallis, Soph., M; Ashley Rusk, Soph., A; Christine Fee, Soph., D.
Outlook: The Mountaineers are still young, but with eight starters back, Anderson is confident that they will be improved. Having graduate student Stocker return gives a boost to the attack, as does Rusk, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year. The defense will benefit from the return of Shearer and Fee, who missed all of last season with a knee injury and mononucleosis, respectively. Anderson has added a lot of speed with her freshmen class, especially midfielders Colleen Curran, Amy Harris, Michelle Coates and Sarah Palaia. Anderson also has upgraded the schedule for the third year in Division I and the Mountaineers will no longer compete in two conferences. They have dropped out of the MAAC, which they have swept through for two years, and will stick to the tougher Northeast Conference.
1998 record: 8-9
Coach: Linda Ohrin (first season)
Top returnees: Jacquie Sica, Jr., G; Amy Buck, Sr., A; Sue Korcek, Sr., D; Amie Rose, Sr., M; Courtney Benner, Sr., D; Bridget Harthausen, Jr., M; Jen Sturm, Jr., M; Nicki Popolano, Soph., A; Jessica Weissman, Jr., A.
Outlook: Ohrin, a Mount Hebron and Loyola graduate, takes over a talented squad that posted a disappointing record last season. The Tigers return 15 players, including a potent attack duo in Buck (29 goals, seven assists) and Popolano (35, seven). Buck, a two-time All-America East pick, stands eighth on the all-time points list with 108. Having three of the top five scorers return should help overcome the loss of top scorer Kathy McCafferty (37, 16) to graduation. The Tigers also have more strength in the middle this year behind Sturm (17, three), Rose and Harthausen.
UMBC
1998 record: 9-9
Coach: Monica DiCandilo (third season, 14-18)
Top returnees: Debbie Krastel, Sr., M; Jessaka Phoebus, Jr., M; Amy Jagoda, Soph., G; Loree Miller, Soph., A; Renee Tirocchi, Soph., M; Julie Dorney, Soph., M; Molly Buzdygon, Soph., D; Michelle Clancy, Soph., D; Katie Pickett, Soph., D; Amanda Eldridge, Soph., A.
Outlook: The Retrievers swept the Northeast Conference regular-season and tournament championships last year. Although they will be looking to boost their nonconference record this season after losing two games in overtime and two more by one or two goals, DiCandilo said the kind of improvement she's looking for might not be reflected in the record. Playing a tight game against a top-notch team such as Princeton or Virginia could be a win of sorts for the Retrievers, even if they lost. To get closer to the top teams, the Retrievers will rely on a balanced attack to fill the gap left by Heather Kormanik (54, 28). Krastel (38, 10), Phoebus (23, 14) and Miller (35, six) should be the offensive leaders. Pub Date: 3/02/99