Coach: Ashley Manion, first season
Conference, 2007 record: Independent , 5-8
The Sun's take: The Bobcats will again be led by a new head coach, as Manion takes over for Annie Sidorenko. She inherits a team that suffered a pair of four-game losing streaks last season but returns its top two scorers in senior Carly Rihard (52 points) and sophomore Elisabeth Hildebrand (41 points).
Goucher
Coach: Katie Trainor, third season (17-15 at Goucher)
Conference, 2007 record: Capital Athletic, 8-8
The Sun's take: The Gophers advanced to the conference semifinals last year, losing to eventual champion Salisbury. Leading the team this year will be two All-CAC first-team selections, A Emily Blatter and M Kate Knitter, both seniors. Sophomore Gia Thomas will play in goal for the Gophers, who were fourth in the conference last season.
Hood
Coach: Molly Hesterberg, first season
Conference, 2007 record: Capital Athletic (inaugural season), 4-9
The Sun's take: The Blazers are expected to struggle in their debut in the CAC after leaving the AWCC, which folded last year. The new coach, Hesterberg, takes over for Staci Thompson, who is coaching field hockey at Hood. M Brandy Noel (Old Mill), who started all 13 games as a freshman and led the team in goals last season with 25, is expected to lead a young Blazers roster that features 10 underclassmen.
McDaniel
Coach: Muffie Bliss, fifth season (46-23 at McDaniel)
Conference, 2007 record: Centennial, 14-5
The Sun's take: The Green Terror won a program-best 14 games en route to capturing the ECAC championship. Kerrie Wuenschel (South Carroll) returns for her senior season after leading the team in goals and points. She will be joined by junior Erinn Hopkins, who was second to Wuenschel with 30 goals.
College of Notre Dame
Coach: Melissa Falen, 19th season (154-124-1 at CND)
Conference, 2007 record: Pennsylvania Athletic, 15-2
The Sun's take: Winners of 68 straight AWCC games and 12 consecutive conference titles, the Gators owned the conference since 1996. Their challenge is to replicate that in the PAC, with its higher level of competition. Anchoring the lineup will be Anne Shippen (Glenelg Country), who was 13th in Division III with 64 goals last season.
St. Mary's
Coach: Carol Schmoeller, second season (8-8 at St. Mary's)
Conference, 2007 record: Capital Athletic, 8-8
The Sun's take: Junior Lauren Carrier (Old Mill) leads a team looking to rebound from a disappointing 2007, in which it lost in the first round of the conference tournament. The junior midfielder, who led the CAC in goals per game last year with 3.61, will be joined by attackers Kelsey Branch (North Harford) and Emily Norris (Dulaney), who were third and fourth, respectively, in scoring last season for the Seahawks.
Salisbury
Coach: Jim Nestor, seventh season (94-16 at Salisbury)
Conference, 2007 record: Capital Athletic, 21-2
The Sun's take: The Sea Gulls look to continue their dominance in the CAC, entering 2008 as the five-time defending conference champions. Last year, they set the school record for wins in a season (21) and advanced to the national championship game for the second time. Senior All-American Sue Ackerman (Liberty), who had 119 points last season, heads a group of seven returning starters.
Villa Julie
Coach: Kathy Railey, third season
Conference, 2007 record: Capital Athletic, 6-10
The Sun's take: The Mustangs hope to improve this season as they return eight starters from last year's squad. They will have do so without leading scorer Meghan Smith, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. The Mustangs will rely on a strong freshman class to make up for her 37 goals and 44 points. Attackers Jamie Jones (Glen Burnie) and Cat Connelly (Fallston) return, as does G Kaitlin Brzozowski (Fallston).
Coach: Suzie Friedrich, fifth season (26-42 at Washington College)
Conference, 2007 record: Centennial, 7-10
The Sun's take: The Shorewomen had an up-and-down 2007, suffering a late-season three-game losing streak. The Shorewomen lost four games by one goal. Top scorer Suzie Jakub returns, as does D Laura Rickus, who started every game last year, but the team's fate might rest on its goalkeeping. Amber Madore (Wilde Lake) is one of two freshmen trying to replace Mollie Binotto.