1. McDonogh
Coach: Chris Robinson Last season: 20-0, ranked No. 1
Postseason: IAAM A Conference champion
Outlook: The Eagles have won two straight A Conference crowns, and that streak should continue despite a tough schedule both in the conference and out. Every year the Eagles graduate some of the area's best players, but they have so much depth that they can simply reload. Speed, skill, depth, firepower, defense — they've got it all.
2. Notre Dame Prep
Coaches: Mary Bartel, Lisa Costello
Last season: 18-4, No. 2
Postseason: IAAM A Conference runner-up
Outlook: About half of the Blazers' starters graduated, so they have some rebuilding to do early, but don't expect that to last long. With the strength they return on attack and in the goal, they should come along quickly enough to give McDonogh another run for the conference title.
3. John Carroll
Coach: Krystin Porcella Last season: 18-4, No. 4
Postseason: IAAM A Conference semifinalist
Outlook: The Patriots, A Conference champs in 2007 and 2008, return nine starters, a veteran defense and a midfield that can provide instant offense with its ability to win possession, especially off the draw. Look for them to battle McDonogh and NDP.
4. Winters Mill
Coach: Courtney Vaughn Last season: 18-1, No. 6
Postseason: Class 2A-1A state champion
Outlook: The Falcons graduated a handful of dominant seniors, but the veterans who played in their shadow are ready to draw their own spotlight. A talented, aggressive group with some promising youngsters takes aim at a third state title in four years.
5. South River
Coach: Kim McNemar Last season: 17-2, No. 3
Postseason: Class 4A-3A state champion
Outlook: Coming off their first state title, the Seahawks have a new look after graduating All-Metro Player of the Year Brooke Griffin. Still, 16 returning players should keep them in contention in perhaps the state's toughest county (Anne Arundel) and region (4A-3A East).
6. Severna Park
Coach: Carin Peterson Last season: 16-1, No. 5
Postseason: Class 4A-3A East regional semifinalist
Outlook: The Falcons' only loss came to the Seahawks in the regional semifinal. Despite some key losses, they return players in every area of the field, so this balanced, talented group aims to take back the tough East regional title and go after its 10th state crown.
7. Bryn Mawr
Coaches: Wendy Kridel, Kim Simons
Last season: 13-5, No. 9
Postseason: IAAM A Conference quarterfinalist
Outlook: The Mawrtians graduated their entire starting line defense and the top goal scorer in school history, but they return talent in between as well as a tough goalie. Look for them fill the voids quickly and join the AConference chase.
8. Broadneck
Coach: Karen Tengwall Last season: 15-3, No. 7
Postseason: Class 4A-3A East regional finalist
Outlook: The Bruins, who lost to South River in overtime in the regional final, graduated five key starters, but the defense returns nearly intact and a strong group of sophomores is rising fast. Look for the Bruins to be right back in the Anne Arundel and the East regional races.
9. Century
Coach: Becky Trumbo Last season: 17-2, No. 11
Postseason: Class 3A-2A state champion
Outlook: Former Liberty High and Towson University All-American Trumbo takes over after assisting retired coach Rose Pentz. With eight returning starters, don't look for any letdown in the Knights' program, which has won five state titles in seven years.
10. Marriotts Ridge
Coach: Natalie Gaieski Last season: 16-2, No. 13
Postseason: Class 3A-2A state semifinalist
Outlook: The Mustangs made their first trip to the state semifinals last season in only their second year as a varsity program. With eight starters back, they should make another run at the state title and appear to be the team to beat in Howard County.
11. C. Milton Wright
Coach: Brent Ritz Last season: 15-5, No. 15
Postseason: Class 4A-3A state finalist
Outlook: Three veteran midfielders graduated, but the Mustangs have girls who've played enough to step right in. They return eight starters, including their leading scorer and one of the top defenders in the area, Alyssa Blevins, who is coming off knee surgery.
12. St. Mary's
Coach: Megan Lewis Last season: 13-6, No. 8
Postseason: IAAM A Conference semifinalist
Outlook: Thirteen seniors graduated from a team that upset NDP and Bryn Mawr last year, but just as many veterans return. If they and some of the youngsters grow into their starting roles, the Saints will stay in the AConference race.
13. Liberty
Coach: Kristin Crutchfield Last season: 10-4, No. 10
Postseason: Class 2A-1A West regional semifinalist
Outlook: The Lions lost by one goal in the regional semifinal to eventual state champ Winters Mill. Although they graduated much of their attack, they return a strong defense and enough firepower to remain a threat in a crowded Carroll County race.
14. Glenelg
Coach: Ginger Kincaid Last season: 13-5, No. 12
Postseason: Class 2A-1A West regional finalist
Outlook: The Gladiators return a strong group from the team that dropped the regional final to eventual state champ Winters Mill by one goal. They will need to fill in a few holes but should not fall out of the Howard County race.
15. Severn
Coach: Renie Sotiropoulos Last season: 11-8, No. 14
Postseason: IAAM A Conference quarterfinalist
Outlook: The Admirals graduated six Division I players, including All-Metro goalie Hannah Hook, who kept them in a lot of games. They have enough talented youngsters and returning veterans to stay competitive.
OTHERS CONSIDERED: Dulaney (10-8, unranked), Mount Hebron (12-5, unranked), North Harford (11-7, unranked), Roland Park (14-7, unranked), Towson (12-2, unranked), Westminster (12-5, unranked)