GOUCHER
Coach: Kyle Hannan, eighth season (65-49 at Goucher, 118-97 overall)
2007 record: 9-8
Conference: Landmark
The Sun's take: Making the move to the seven-team Landmark Conference, the Gophers return nine of 11 starters from last season. The offense will be powered by junior A Sam Fitzpatrick (18 goals, 17 assists), senior A Casey Hughes (17, 11) and senior M David Duff (20, 2). Junior G Austin Main turned back 57.7 percent of opponents' shots.
HOOD
Coach: Eric Dummann, first season as college coach
2007 record: 0-15
Conference: Capital Athletic
The Sun's take: Dummann succeeds Eric Shultz and heads a program that is still searching for its first win in its three-year history. At least three of last year's four top scorers in senior M Jason Anderson (18 goals, four assists), senior A Will Oconis (10, 12) and sophomore A Sofi Lazar (11 goals) are back.
McDANIEL
Coach: Matt Hatton, second season (8-6)
2007 record: 8-6
Conference: Centennial
The Sun's take: The return of four of last season's top scorers in sophomore A Gibbs Preston (21 goals, 17 assists), senior A Matt Buschman (25, 4), senior A Chris Edmonds (21, 6) and senior M Bill Warner (13, 13) represents 51 percent of last year's scoring output. The key will be whether junior G Kenny McHugh can anchor a defense sapped by graduation.
ST. MARY'S
Coach: Jayme Block, seventh season (58-39 at St. Mary's, 66-44 overall)
2007 record: 12-6
Conference: Capital Athletic
The Sun's take: Sophomore M Ryan Alexander (37 goals, 10 assists), senior A Pat Oliphant (26, 6) and sophomore A Josh Hostetler (17, 5) will spark the offense, while junior Marc DiPasquale won 68 percent of his faceoffs. The biggest factor involves the competition between freshmen Pat Simpson and J.J. Strombosky and sophomore Ben Craft to start in goal.
SALISBURY
Coach: Jim Berkman, 19th season (299-30 at Salisbury, 308-35 overall)
2007 record: 23-0
Conference: Capital Athletic
The Sun's take: Is a fifth national title in six years in the works? Senior A Matt Hickman and senior A Greg Titus scored 75 and 76 goals, respectively, while junior M Kylor Berkman notched 35 goals and 44 assists. Graduation sapped the team of six key defensive players. Junior Riley Clark, who has been waiting for two seasons to be the starting goalie, will get his shot.
VILLA JULIE
Coach: Paul Cantabene, fourth season (30-19 at Villa Julie)
2007 record: 11-5
Conference: Capital Athletic
The Sun's take: The Mustangs don't lack firepower as sophomore A Jimmy Dailey (32 goals, 28 assists), junior M Chris Baldwin (21, 9) and junior M Nick Bevacqua (15, 5) are just a few of their weapons. Senior Chole Mueller and juniors Zach Clark and Mike Simon lead an experienced defense.
WASHINGTON COLLEGE
Coach: J.B. Clarke, ninth season (111-42) at Washington College, 120-47 overall)
2007 record: 11-6
Conference: Centennial
The Sun's take: If the Shoremen intend to spoil Gettysburg's string of five conference titles in the past six years (Washington won in 2003), they will need inspired play from senior A Chris Read (31 goals, 20 assists), junior A Jimmy Keilek (21, 20) and senior M Kolyn Kirby (24, 7). Junior G Gordon Cohen stopped 61.1 percent of opponents' shots.
Inside Lacrosse Top 20