Frostburg State
Capital Athletic Conference
Last season:
6-11 overall, 1-7 league
Coach:
Tommy Pearce (second season)
Outlook:
The Bobcats will be led by senior attackman Dan Dowd (Southern), who led the team with 31 goals, and defenseman Zack Hiller, who started 15 games, picked up 24 ground balls and forced eight turnovers. Frostburg was been picked to finish sixth in the conference by the 2012 Face-Off Yearbook.
Goucher
Landmark Conference
Last season:
11-6 overall, 4-1 league
Coach:
Kyle Hannan (19th season, 161-118)
Outlook:
The Gophers lost only two players to graduation and will be led by Matt Lynch, who was named an honorable mention on the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association's Division III All-America teams. Rory Averett also returns after setting the school's single-season record with 53 goals last season.
Hood
Capital Athletic Conference
Last season:
8-9 overall, 3-5 league
Coach:
Jeremy Mattoon (second season)
Outlook:
The Blazers are playing in the CAC for the final time after accepting an invitation to join the Commonwealth Conference effective July 1. Defense will likely be improved with the return of starting defensemen Doug Brisbane and Mark Filuta and goalie William Lane.
McDaniel
Centennial Conference
Last season:
6-8 overall, 3-5 league
Coach:
Matt Hatton (sixth season, 36-38)
Outlook:
The Green Terror will be led by senior D.J. Rickels (Boys' Latin), who was named an honorable mention All-American by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association after recording 31 goals and 40 points. J.S. Duke and freshman Patrick Bivons will also get quality minutes, and the defense will be anchored by Nelson Hannahs, seniors Nick Sicuranza and Preston Ketchum and Alex McCoy.
St. Mary's
Capital Athletic Conference
Last season:
6-9, 4-4 league
Coach:
Chris Hasbrouck (fourth season, 50-31)
Outlook:
Long-stick midfielder Peter Windsor (St. Paul 's), a preseason honorable mention All-American, returns after leading the team in caused turnovers (34) and finishing second with 43 ground balls. The attack will be led by J.P. Lennon, who was second on the team in scoring with 22 goals and two assists, including three game-winners.
Salisbury
Capital Athletic Conference
Last season:
21-1, overall, 7-1 league
Coach:
Jim Berkman (24th season, 379-37)
Outlook:
The defending national champions are the nation's preseason No. 1 ranked team in several polls. The Sea Gulls reloaded with seven players named to All-American teams, including three first-team picks: senior midfielder Sam Bradman, senior attackman Matt Cannone and junior faceoff specialist Tyler Granelli.
Stevenson
Capital Athletic Conference
Last season:
18-3, 8-0 league
Coach:
Paul Cantabene (eighth season, 97-30)
Outlook:
The Mustangs are looking to build on last season, when they advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. Stevenson will be led by preseason All-Americans Tyler Reid, who had 38 goals and seven assists, and sophomore Ryan Rubenstein (Boys' Latin), the CAC Rookie of the Year.
Washington College
Centennial Conference
Last season:
5-9, 2-6 league
Coach:
Jeff Shirk (second season)
Outlook:
The Shoremen have a strong corps of returning players, including defenseman Bryan Botti and senior attackman Billy Stafford, both two-year captains and Hereford alums. Senior goalie Peter Stewart (St. Mary's) also returns after starting all 14 games and being named the team's Most Valuable Player last season with a save percentage of .587 and a goals-against average of 9.61.