STATE SCHOOLS
Johns Hopkins
American Lacrosse Conference
(12-8, NCAA quarterfinals)
Coach: Janine Tucker
15th season, 169-68
TOP RETURNING SCORER
LAUREN SCHWARZMANN
Senior M
(30 goals, 10 assists)
ALSO BACK
Sarah Gallion, senior D
Kadie Stamper, senior M (26, 5)
Sam Schrum, sophomore A (30, 9)
Katie Dumais, senior D
Kirby Houck, senior M (22, 4)
Danielle Ensley, sophomore A
KEY ADDITIONS
Brooke Foussadier, freshman A
Brianna Cronin, freshman M
THE SUN'S TAKE
The Blue Jays have huge shoes to fill after graduating Mary Key (234 career goals, 149 assists), one of the most prolific scorers in NCAA history. Look for a more balanced approach to everything this season, with proven scoring, solid midfield transition and a speedy defense. Tucker said they plan to use their defense more to start their offense and that some of those defenders will likely get into the attack. If everyone steps up, Hopkins could retain a spot in the NCAA tournament.
STATE SCHOOLS
(2-14)
Coach: Kerri O'Day
Fifth season, 28-37
TOP RETURNING SCORER
COLLEEN O'KEEF
Junior A
(19 goals, 12 assists)
ALSO BACK
Maura Kenny, senior A (20, 5)
Kate Filippelli, senior M (15, 4)
Kristen Stone, senior D
Emily Gibson, sophomore M (7, 6)
Bridget Zingler, senior M
Alicyn Brunnett, senior A (11, 5)
KEY ADDITIONS
Grace Gavin, freshman M
Abby Rehfuss, freshman M
THE SUN'S TAKE
Seven freshmen, including G Meg Steffe, M Cara Filippelli and A Mary Heneberry, should help the Greyhounds fill in some of the holes they had last season.With so much youth, it might take time to overcome one of the main difficulties from last season: inconsistency. But the Greyhounds should make big strides toward getting back in the Big East hunt.
STATE SCHOOLS
Atlantic Coast Conference
(16-4, NCAA quarterfinals)
Coach: Cathy Reese
Second season, 16-4
Fifth season overall, 47-33
TOP RETURNING SCORER
DANA DOBBIE
Senior M
(53, 16)
ALSO BACK
Kelly Kasper, senior M (26, 22)
Casey Magor, senior A (33, 13)
Caitlyn McFadden, sophomore M (18, 17)
Lauren Cohen, senior A (33, 15)
Katie Pumphrey, senior D
Allie Buote, senior G
KEY ADDITIONS
Sarah Mollison, freshman M
Laura Merrifield, freshman A
Alexcia Niumatalolo, freshman D
Kate Faas, junior A
THE SUN'S TAKE
A 9-7 loss to Pennsylvania in the NCAA quarterfinals kept the Terrapins from getting back to the final four for the first time since 2003. This season, Maryland should be ready to take that step up and challenge for the ACC?s first automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Terps return 73 percent of their offense, have more depth in the midfield and have more leadership throughout. They also have three-year starter Buote in goal.
STATE SCHOOLS
(10-8)
Coach: Denise Wescott
Third season, 17-19
14th season overall, 121-105
TOP RETURNING SCORER
KATELYN CATANESE
Junior M
(51, 6)
ALSO BACK
Caitlin Preas, junior D (4, 0)
Jane Karger, senior G
Kathleen Rossetti, junior M (18, 8)
Rebecca Douglass, senior M (16, 8)
Jackie Kearney, sophomore D (0, 1)
Cait Fraccalvieri, sophomore D
KEY ADDITIONS
Lucy Pompa, freshman D
Aly Jost, freshman D
Kelly Taylor, freshman A
Kristin Jones, freshman M
THE SUN'S TAKE
Experience should give the Mountaineers an edge they didn?t have at the end of last season. After going 8-0 in the conference regular season, they fell to Monmouth, 9-8, on a goal in the final 38 seconds of the tournament championship, losing their bid for an NCAA berth. A talented, selfless group on offense gives the Mount plenty of flexibility and scoring. Defensively, a solid returning group grows even stronger with the potential of the newcomers.
STATE SCHOOLS
Navy
Patriot League, first season
Coach: Cindy Timchal
Second season, 18-5, club
26th season overall, 336-86
TOP RETURNING SCORER
AMANDA TOWEY
Senior M
(71, 57)
ALSO BACK
Erin Rawlick, sophomore M (91, 36)
Mary Ruttum, sophomore M (65, 30)
Kaylene Klingenstein, senior A (34, 11)
KEY ADDITIONS
Meg Decker, freshman M
Caitlin Mandrin Hill, freshman M
Katrina Nietsch, freshman M
THE SUN'S TAKE
The Midshipmen embark on their first season in Division I after a transition year in which they went 1-4 against Division I teams and reached the national club championship game. On attack and in the midfield, Navy looks solid, but the defense is still building. Timchal is looking to smooth out potential problem spots, such as clears and turnovers, but she has some strong athletes to build around.
STATE SCHOOLS
Colonial Athletic Association (6-9)
Coach: Missy Doherty
5th season, 40-29
TOP RETURNING SCORER
HILLARY FRATZKE
Junior M
(48, 12)
ALSO BACK
Meggie McNamara, junior A (32, 4)
Britt Woodfield, junior M (19, 7)
Mandy Corry, senior G
Nikki Marcinik, sophomore M (14, 8)
Julie Ondrako, junior D
Laura Mezzanotte, senior D
KEY ADDITIONS
Megan Fitzgerald, freshman M-D
Jess Dunn, freshman A
THE SUN'S TAKE
The Tigers have a bonus in the motivation department, because they play host to the final four over Memorial Day weekend. But even more importantly, they graduated only three players and are hungry to get back to the CAA tournament. Loads of experience, good chemistry and a largely intact defense should help Towson win more close games after going 1-4 in one-goal contests last season. The Tigers also have more depth.
STATE SCHOOLS
UMBC
Northeast Conference
(7-10)
Coach: Courtney Connor
Third season, 17-17
Seventh season overall, 62-48
TOP RETURNING SCORER
ALI LEVENDUSKY
Senior A (28, 10)
ALSO BACK
Maggie Chizmar, senior D
Kara Dorr, junior M (29, 6)
Sara Marshall, sophomore A
Sarah Willis, sophomore D/M
Kate Quick, sophomore G
Susie Sweeney, junior G
KEY ADDITIONS
Kristen Milligan, freshman M
Megan Linkous, freshman M
THE SUN'S TAKE
Consistency will be the key for the Retrievers this season, especially with 23 underclassmen on the roster. Despite the youth, only four starters were lost to graduation, so Connor has experience to build on. Their top two scorers graduated, but the Retrievers return five double-digit contributors. They also have talent on the defensive end, backed by Quick and Sweeney,who will be pushed for time by freshman Natalie Rau.