Baltimore City
Public schools
City Knights
1998 record: 10-3
Coach: P. J. Kesmodel
Top players: Erika Brown, Jr., A; Jessica Shipley, Jr., A; Rosie Hicks, Jr., M; Krystin Weaver, Jr., G; Diamonte Brown, Jr., D; Monique Harris, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Knights won their first city title, going 6-0 in the league, and they are the favorites this season. Kesmodel returns the most experienced group in the city with all 12 starters back. The Knights averaged 15 goals per game last year, led by Brown (54 goals, 12 assists) and Shipley (35, 12). They should remain tough offensively, but their defense is still developing.
Patterson Clippers
Coaches: Suzanne Austin and Mary Butler
1998 record: 1-10
Top players: Priscilla Baumeister, Sr., M; Mandy McNeil, Jr., A; Jessica Palmer, Jr., D; Shamika McFadden, Jr., G.
Outlook: The Clippers return eight players from last year, but they still have a lot of inexperience on the roster of 20 girls. Still, Austin said the youngsters are picking up the game quickly. The Clippers have a lot of speed and Austin's primary goal is to get them to work better as a team.
Poly Engineers
Coach: Bob Wood
1998 record: 4-7
Top players: Brandis Matthews, Sr., M; Sherry McKenzie, Sr., M; Taisha Williams, Sr., G; Kimberly Zuromski, Sr., M; Josephine Pattaula, Sr., D; Sara Beegle, Jr., A.
Outlook: Wood, the Engineers' boys soccer coach, takes over the program this year and inherits an experienced group. A hard-working team, the Engineers return lots of scoring potential in Matthews, McKenzie and Beegle and a solid keeper in Williams. They have also boosted their number of players, up to 20 from 15 at the start of last season.
Western Doves
1998 record: 2-7
Coach: Debbie Walker
Top players: Jazziel Granada, Sr., A; Rebecca Frankenberger, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Doves, who won city titles in 1996 and 1997, have a lot of talent, but not much experience. Walker returns after a year away and she has the luxury of having enough girls coming out to make cuts. After getting off to a slow start, Walker said, it will take time to determine how well the Doves will do.
Private schools
Bryn Mawr Mawrtians
Coach: Wendy Kridel
1998 record: 11-4
Top players: Elizabeth Knight, Sr., D; Tara Hardiman, Jr., A; Katie Coyne, Jr., M; Meredith Goodell, Jr., A; Miles Whitman, Jr., M; Theresa Sherry, Jr., M; Amy Price, Jr., G.
Outlook: The Mawrtians return 10 starters and add Coyne, a talented transfer from Towson. Although they lost high-scoring All-Metro attacker Kim Smith, the Mawrtians return a balanced attack led by Hardiman (32, 10) Goodell (25, three) and Whitman (23 goals). With speed and skill all around, a strong defense and a veteran goalie, the Mawrtians will challenge for the top spot in the Association of Independent Schools A Division.
Catholic Cubs
1998 record: 6-4
Coach: Mary Ann Sattler
Top players: Becky Bieneman, Sr., M; Maria Battaglia, Sr., M; Trisha Wehner, Sr., D; Katierose Riegger, Jr., M; Amy Lipinski, Soph., M.
Outlook: The Cubs lost most of their starters and they will be without Bieneman, who is almost recovered from surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament, until the end of this month. Still, with a good group of returnees and eight talented sophomores, they shouldn't lose any ground. The Cubs hope to battle Park, Institute of Notre Dame and Spalding for the AIS B Division title.
Friends Quakers
1998 record: 7-9-1
Coach: Carol Samuels
Top players: Maron Deering, Sr., A; Molly O'Connor, Sr., D; Kelly Bouxsein, Sr., D; Laura Fine, Sr., A; Ashley Bastinelli, Soph., G; Rachel Tranter, Soph., M.
Outlook: If the Quakers can come together as a team, they could be a dark horse in the AIS A Division race. There is experience on attack with Deering (56, 21), O'Connor (13, 5) and Fine (12, 32), although some of the defense is untested. Still, the Quakers should be more transition-oriented and more spontaneous on attack. They also have four freshmen who will vie for playing time.
Institute of Notre Dame Indians
1998 record: 8-4
Coach: Mary Beth Bollinger
Top players: Brandy Ault, Sr., M; Erin Dolan, Sr., M; Lauren Schmitt, Sr., D; Jessa Karko, Jr., D; Jill Spalding, Sr., A.
Outlook: Defense will be the key to whether the Indians emerge on top in a tight race for the AIS B Division. Eight players graduated, but there is strength in the youngsters. Karko will lead a young unit that includes new sophomore goalie Lindsay Stallings. However, the Indians have more scoring power, led by Spalding and Ault.
Mercy Magic
1998 record: 14-4-1
Coach: Joy Lewandowski
Top players: Kaitie Schuyler, Jr., M; Kristy Korrow, Jr., M; Tara Singleton, Jr., D; Jessie Steck, Sr., D; Heather Valunas, Sr., A.
Outlook: The defending AIS B Division champs will test their mettle in the A Division this season and the timing is perfect for the jump. With just three starters lost, the Magic returns a lot of scoring, a strong transition and a solid defense in front of goalie Jane Herbert, who moves up from the JV. Time will tell whether the Magic has the strength to battle the top teams in the A Division, but they should be competitive.
Roland Park Reds
1998 recored: 22-0
Coach: Tara Kramer
Top players: Betsy Gaines, Sr., M; Elizabeth Ryan, Sr., M; Meghan Kelly, Sr., D; Stasia Thomas, Sr., D; Kristin Sudina, Sr., D; Whitney Jamison, Sr. A; Kelsey Twist, Soph., D; Meghan McInnes, Jr., G.
Outlook: The Reds were the No. 1 team in the nation last year and they return 11 seniors. Although they lost leadership and some key players, including All-Metro Player of the Year Erin McInnes, Kramer expects to fill those holes. There is plenty of scoring power in All-Metro performer Gaines (59, 37) and veterans Jamison (33, 32) and Ryan (31, 22). The Reds also return a top goalie in McInnes, who had a 60 percent save rate and allowed just 5.5 goals per game. It will be difficult for the Reds to match last year's overwhelming success, but they are still favored to repeat as AIS A Division champs. They face a challenge from Bryn Mawr, Notre Dame Prep and St. Mary's.
Seton Keough Gators
1998 record: 5-9
Coach: Kate Daley
Top players: Cindy Dagley, Jr., M; Stephanie Roscher, Sr., C; Sarah Bach, Fr., M; Sarah Lyon, Jr., D; Kim Keene, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Gators will be quicker with better stick skills this season and are looking to improve their record in the AIS A Division. Only four starters graduated, so Daley has an experienced squad. There should be balanced scoring, led by Dagley and Roscher, along with a solid defense.
Preseason Top 15
Rank Team '98 W-L 1.
1. Roland Park 22-0
2. Bryn Mawr 11-4
3. Mount Hebron 16-3
4. Notre Dame Prep 14-2
5. Annapolis 20-1
6. Severna Park 13-3
7. St. Mary's 16-3
8. Towson 16-2
9. Liberty 14-4
10. Loch Raven 13-3
11. Fallston 14-2
12. South River 12-4
13. North Carroll 11-2
14. Broadneck 11-3
15. Parkville 14-4