PLAYERS TO WATCH
Allyson Carey
John Carroll, midfield
The Harford County Player of the Year last season as a sophomore, Carey showed off precocious skills and savvy all over the field, making big plays, controlling the draws and scoring 44 goals with 23 assists.
Caroline Cochran
St. Mary's, attack
Look for the hot-shooting junior left-hander to be the Saints' main weapon after finishing second on their scoring chart with 62 goals and 20 assists in last season's exceptionally talented attack.
Jackie Doherty
Mount Hebron, defense
A two-time All-Metro line defender, the senior has every asset of a complete stopper: a keen understanding of defense, good positioning, a quick stick and an intimidating presence.
Corey Donohoe
North Harford, midfield
A physically strong player who can dominate any facet of the game, the senior proved especially tough to stop offensively, contributing 42 goals along with 39 assists.
Jacqueline Giles
Mount Hebron, attack
The top line attacker on the area's most prolific team, the All-Metro senior used superb stick skills and a quick dodge to score many of her goals against the top competition, amassing 51 goals and six assists.
Kristen Horsman
Dulaney, defense
While the two-time All-Metro senior stands out on the defensive end, she also runs the field, contributing to the Class 4A-3A state champions' success on offense with 54 goals and 31 assists.
Karri Ellen Johnson
Broadneck, midfield
A versatile center with superior stick skills, the junior dominates anywhere on the field - scoring 39 goals with 27 assists, controlling most of the draws and showing natural defensive instincts.
Jordy Kirr
Bryn Mawr, attack
The senior contributed 22 goals and 11 assists to a balanced attack last season, and her game has grown, making her a key to the Mawrtians' likely run at the top of the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference.
Josie Owen
Severn, midfield
Overshadowed by her older teammates last season, the versatile junior will draw attention with the skills, tenacity and shot-making ability that led to 34 goals and 10 assists a year ago.
Jenny Steadman
Century, midfield
An All-Metro first team pick last year, the senior set school single-season records for goals (87) and points (41) while leading the Knights to a 19-0 finish and the Class 2A-1A state title.
Other notables -- Diana Apel, Glenelg; Kirstyn Atkinson, McDonogh; Kelli Battista, Long Reach; Sara Cooper, Centennial; Corcoran Downey, Centennial; Corrine Drost, Hereford; Maggie Dunbar, St. Paul's; Jess Dunn, Fallston; Allie Emala, Bryn Mawr; Karly Epp, Poly; Bria Eulitt, Mount Hebron; Megan Fitzgerald, Archbishop Spalding; Emily Franke, Towson; Grace Gaeng, John Carroll; Julie Gardner, Severna Park; Kristy Hankinson, Liberty; Mary Heneberry, Dulaney; Kaitlyn Horsman, Dulaney; Miller Hughes, Roland Park; Madalyn Jamison, Westminster; Kate Janian, Bryn Mawr; Joanna Kiser, Severna Park; Alicia Krause, Mount Hebron; Kim Kolarik, South River; Laura Lesnick, North Harford; Brooke Matthews, Friends; Julianne Nicola, Glenelg; Alexcia Niumatalolo, Broadneck; Jen Peters, Winters Mill; Brittany Poist, North Carroll; Jill Rekart, Mount Hebron; Maggie Sachs, Park; Megan Seidman, Pikesville; Caroline Spearman, McDonogh; Sandra Syntax, Poly; Ashley Trombetta, Century; Caitlyn Wier, Notre Dame Prep; Natalie Wills, St. Mary's; Lindsey Winkler, Western; Lauren Wise, Seton Keough; Jenny Wolock, Roland Park; Meredith Zanelotti, River Hill.
THE POLL
1. Mount Hebron
Last season: 18-0, ranked No. 1
Graduating eight starters would doom a lot of teams, but the Vikings always have a talented cast waiting in the wings. A tough schedule may challenge their 97-game winning streak, but they should have no trouble adding an 11th straight state title.
2. St. Paul's
Last season: 18-2, No. 2
The defending Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference champions have some holes to fill, especially in the goal, but they return a talented and balanced team that will keep them in a close race for the tournament title.
3. Century
Last season: 19-0, No. 4
The Knights enjoyed their best season ever, winning their second Class 2A-1A state title in three years. Eight starters return to make a strong run at a third crown.
4. Dulaney
Last season: 16-2, No. 5
Talent and skill return up and down the field for the Lions, who are a favorite to win a third straight Class 4A-3A state championship.
5. McDonogh
Last season: 18-2, No. 3
Graduation and injuries have taken a toll on the Eagles, who return just five starters, but their young talent should develop into an IAAM A Conference contender.
6. John Carroll
Last season: 11-7, No. 14
Inconsistency troubled the Patriots last season, but if they can work that out, they have the talent to soar toward the top of the IAAM A Conference.
7. Roland Park
Last season: 12-4, No. 7
The Reds graduated some big names from last season but bring back enough talent and depth to stay in the IAAM A Conference hunt.
8. Severna Park
Last season: 16-4, No. 8
The Falcons feature a completely rebuilt defense, but they'll have time to mesh because almost everyone else is back for the Class 4A-3A state runners-up.
9. St. Mary's
Last season: 16-5, No. 6
The Saints graduated one of their most talented classes ever and will need the emerging youngsters to keep them in the IAAM A Conference race.
10. Towson
Last season: 16-2, No. 9
Nine returning starters give the Generals an excellent shot at challenging top rival Dulaney in Baltimore County.
11. Broadneck
Last season: 15-3, No. 10
The Anne Arundel County champions aim to get past Severna Park and return to the Class 4A-3A state final four.
12. North Harford
Last season: 14-2, No. 12
With a senior-dominated team, the Hawks are looking for a trip to the state semifinals for the first time since 1998.
13. Bryn Mawr
Last season: 8-9, not ranked
Watch out for the Mawrtians, whose strong senior class should have them back in the IAAM A Conference race.
14. Notre Dame Prep
Last season: 12-7, No. 11
The Blazers return just four starters but are well-known for reloading quickly, especially on defense.
15. Fallston
Last season: 11-4, No. 15
Returning their entire offense gives the Cougars time to rebuild the defense without missing a beat.
Others considered -- Centennial (12-3, unranked), Severn (9-8, unranked), South River (9-6, unranked).
GAMES TO WATCH
Tuesday
Bryn Mawr vs. St. Mary's at Broadneck, 5:30 p.m.
March 27
Broadneck at Severna Park, 7 p.m.
April 9
Mount Hebron vs. St. Paul's at Johns Hopkins, 11 a.m.
April 9
Dulaney vs. Roland Park at Johns Hopkins, 1 p.m.
May 5
Moorestown (N.J.) at Mount Hebron, 6 p.m.
BY THE NUMBERS
2 -- Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championships for St. Paul's in the past three years.
7 -- Wins necessary for Mount Hebron to reach 104 straight victories and tie Loch Raven's all-time girls lacrosse record.
8 -- Local girls on the United States Under-19 training team, vying for one of 18 spots on the team that will play in the U-19 World Cup Aug. 4-12 in Ontario, Canada.
87 -- Goals scored last season by Century's Jenny Steadman, setting a school single-season record and accounting for 30 percent of the Knights' total goals.
100 -- Percent of the offense returning for Fallston as the Cougars did not lose a single player who scored a goal.