College of Notre Dame
1998 record: 8-8, 5-0 in Atlantic Women's Colleges Conference.
Coach: Melissa Falen.
Top players: Tara Surlis, Sr., M; Kristin Dia, Sr., D; Maureen Ober, Jr., G; Angela Ruocco, Fr., A; Erin Sturgis, Fr., M.
Outlook: After winning their third consecutive AWCC championship, the Gators field their smallest squad in years with only 14 players. Despite that, Notre Dame has one of its most experienced squads with seven starters returning. But depth is a major concern and a few injuries could cause a tailspin. Surlis, a starting defender two years ago, is back after studying abroad for a year and likely will make an immediate impact by moving to the midfield.
Goucher
1998 record: 7-8, 2-2 in Capital Athletic Conference.
Coach: Jennifer Hart.
Top players: Lindsay Ayers, Sr., M; Sarah Flynn, Sr., D; Eliza Hahn, Sr., D; Cara Tracey, Sr., A; Dawn Dugan, Sr., G.
Outlook: Hart, who was part of five NCAA titles as a player and a coach at the College of New Jersey, brings a championship resume to the Gophers, who have posted a 12-19 record since making the national semifinals in 1996. With the graduation of three starters who accounted for 63 percent of Goucher's goal production, Ayers becomes the centerpiece of the attack. Flynn adds a calming defensive presence after playing in 34 straight games. In goal, Dugan is expected to start, but needs to improve on last season's 12.32 goals-against-average.
1998 record: 6-7.
Coach: Eric Day.
Top players: Heather Brown, Jr., A; Laura Hemmings, Sr., A; Tenille Foster, Sr., G; Wendy Redmer, Jr., M; Kelly Waskey, Jr., M.
Outlook: For the first time in 29 years, the Bobcats will have a new coach as Day replaces Sharon Irwin, who retired last season. Although it made a four-win improvement last year, Frostburg is banking that its returning group of eight starters can offset the loss of its top three scorers. "I think we have a lot more depth on this team than we've had in the past," Day said. "Defensively, we have a lot of experience, and with our schedule, we need to play solid defense all season." Foster, who had a .623 save percentage and recorded two 30-save performances, bolsters the defense.
St. Mary's
1998 record: 13-3, 2-2 in CAC (NCAA quarterfinalist).
Coach: Laura Biggs.
Top players: Tara Jensen, Sr., G; Gia Trionfo, Sr., A; K.C. Ingraham, Sr., D; Nairem Moran, Sr., D; Kelly Fetter, Jr., A; Mary Davies, Jr., M.
Outlook: The Seahawks put together their best season ever, winning a school-record 13 games, capturing their first CAC championship and receiving their first NCAA tournament invitation. St. Mary's has a legitimate chance for a national title since it brings back its top two scorers, three best defenders and starting goalkeeper. Trionfo, who set a school record for points in a season with 83, and Jensen, who ranked second nationally with 6.05 goals-against-average, are among the best players in the nation at their positions. "We want to continue to build on what we did last year and improve," said Biggs, who was named CAC Coach of the Year after her first season. "We'll just have to wait and see how far this team can go."
Salisbury State
1998 record: 9-4, 3-1 in CAC.
Coach: Dawn Chamberlin.
Top players: Amanda Moculski, Jr., A; Annie Sappington, Jr., A; Jen Ice, Jr., A; Jen Mezzadra, Soph., A; Courtney Ball, Sr., M.
Outlook: The Sea Gulls have won 19 games over the past two seasons, establishing nine team and individual scoring records during that span. But Salisbury has to fill the scoring void left by Sandy Gilbert and Laura Burhouse, who produced over one-third of the Sea Gulls' goals last season. Moculski, who scored 26 goals last year, will probably become Salisbury's most dependable finisher and will complement Sappington, who led the Sea Gulls with 17 assists. The Sea Gulls will once again alternate between Jennifer Jovan and Lisa LeBeau in goal.
1998 record: 4-13, 2-8 in Centennial Conference.
Coach: Eleanor Shriver.
Top players: Sarah Moore, Jr., G; Rosanne Alastra, Jr., D; Mandy Pare, Sr.; Christyl Arrabal, Jr., M; Maggy Kilroy, Jr., M; Jordan Holt, Jr., A; Kim Hardesty, Sr., A.
Outlook: Despite no seniors, the Shoremen had six players score 10 or more goals for the first time in Washington College history and produced over 150 goals as a team for only the second time this decade. The defensive stopper will be Moore, a Centennial Conference honorable mention selection and the team's Most Improved Player last season. On offense, Kilroy is the top playmaker, totaling 26 goals and 32 assists. She will receive support from three 20-plus goal scorers in Holt, Hardesty and Arrabal.
Western Maryland
1998 record: 9-6, 5-5 in Centennial.
Coach: Kim Easterday.
Top players: Natalie Hannibal, Sr., D; Meaghan Giorno, Jr., M; Amy Bittinger, Soph., A; Amy North, Sr., M; Josselyn Guinan, Fr., G.
Outlook: The Green Terror returns three of its top four scorers, including Hannibal and Giorno, who combined for 79 goals and 19 assists. Hannibal, a first-team All-Centennial selection last season, ranks second on the school's all-time scoring list in soccer. The major question is how the Green Terror will adjust without goalkeeper Amanda Rose, who played every minute last season and ended as the school's career leader in saves. Guinan, the only goalie on the roster, inherits the job.
NOTE: Villa Julie was excluded since it did not send any preview information.
Pub Date: 3/02/99