1. Calvert Hall
Coach: Rich Zinkand
Last season: 13-6-1, Ranked No. 3
Postseason: MIAA A Conference semifinalist
Outlook: Forward Ben Alexander and midfielders Chris Carroll and Seth Walker are all three-year starters coming off a national club championship with Pipeline SC this summer. Can they lead the Cardinals to an MIAA A Conference crown, too? Gifted forward Brady O'Connor returns for his senior year after playing for a U.S. Soccer Development Academy team last season.
2. Archbishop Curley
Coach: Barry Stitz
Last season: 17-9, No. 2
Postseason: MIAA A Conference finalist
Outlook: The Friars are set up well, with nine starters back from last year's team that reached the conference championship game. The obvious concern is scoring, given the departure of All-Metro Player of the Year Tre Pulliam, who scored 29 goals in 2015. With a more balanced approach on offense and sturdy play in the back, led by All-Metro defender Nick Richardson, the Friars are primed to take the next step.
3. McDonogh
Coach: Brandon Quaranta
Last season: 21-0-1, ranked No. 1
Postseason: MIAA A Conference champion
Outlook: In their repeat bid, the Eagles will depend on midfielder Jared Moses and defender Chris MacDonald to offset big losses from last year's unbeaten team. In addition to graduation hits, All-Metro forward Stephen Nichols will play for an academy team this fall. Severn transfer Jayson Cyrus provides a significant boost on defense.
4. Mount Saint Joseph
Coach: Mike St. Martin
Last season: 11-10, No. 11
Postseason: MIAA A quarterfinals
Outlook: A sophomore-dominated roster gained valuable experience reaching the playoffs last season. With nine starters back — Tyler Collins and Brett St. Martin anchor the defense, and Jake Mazzei's the top threat up front — the Gaels have plans for a longer playoff run this fall.
5. Catonsville
Coach: Chris Hastings
Last season: 15-2-1, No. 12
Postseason: Class 4A North Section I final
Outlook: The Comets claimed the Baltimore County title last season but fell short in the playoffs with a double-overtime loss to eventual state champion and league rival Perry Hall. Seven starters return, with senior Matt Rehder leading a dominant midfield that will be the team's strength. Holes still must be filled in goal and up front.
6. Mount Hebron
Coach: Mike Linsenmeyer
Last season: 13-3, No. 9
Postseason: Class 3A East semifinals
Outlook: The defending Howard County champion returns plenty of talent and a bigger chip on its shoulder after a fourth straight regional playoff loss on penalty kicks last season. Seniors Johnny Linsenmeyer, Jacob Parrott and Michael Yacynych lead the seven returning starters, who will again make the Vikings the team to beat in one of the area's toughest leagues.
7. Loyola Blakefield
Coach: Lee Tschantret
Last season: 10-9, No. 6
Postseason: MIAA A Conference semifinals
Outlook: Because of graduation and other key players leaving to play academy ball, the Dons will be extremely young and a work in progress this season. How quickly they develop will determine how much noise they can make in the demanding MIAA A Conference. Senior standout Nick Battaglia, a four-year varsity defender, sets the tone with his skills and leadership.
8. Perry Hall
Coach: Pete Eibner
Last season: 17-3, No. 4
Postseason: Class 4A champion
Outlook: After winning the program's first state crown, the Gators are starting from nearly scratch — the team lost eight starters to graduation. This year's motto: It's not how the story starts but how it finishes. Perry Hall should score plenty with Jack Muller and Calvert Hall transfer Reugo Nnadozie. Senior goalie Ayden Crew plays a huge role in an otherwise new defense.
9. Meade
Coach: Pat Hulede
Last season: 17-2, No. 5
Postseason: Class 4A finalist
Outlook: After reaching the state title game for the first time since 1978 — falling to Perry Hall, 1-0 — the Mustangs feel they have unfinished business as they seek the program's first crown. All-Metro forward Samuel Solomon leads six starters back, with first-year coach Hulede looking for a precise possession game and quick counterattacks.
10. C. Milton Wright
Coach: Brian Tully
Last season: 12-6-1, No. 7
Postseason: Class 3A finalist
Outlook: The Mustangs have been a fixture in the state tournament in recent years, reaching the final last year after two straight semifinal appearances, and have a young but experienced group primed for continued success. They will be balanced on offense, while junior goalie Ryan Miller, a three-year starter, will be leaned on to take charge in back.
11. Centennial
Coach: Mario Moonasingh
Last season: 13-4-1, No. 8
Postseason: Class 3A East finalist
Outlook: A surprise contender last season in Howard County, the Eagles look to keep moving forward under former junior varsity coach Moonasingh, who's replacing Jim Zehe. Ammar Narmouq is a proven threat up front, and a deep and experienced midfield will help Centennial play a possession game.
12. Fallston
Coach: Drew Bisker
Last season: 13-3-1, No. 14
Postseason: Class 2A semifinalist
Outlook: The Cougars welcome back a quality group with state tournament experience, plus an influx of new talent from last year's dominant junior varsity. Jake Kauffman is the focal point on offense, and varsity mainstay Curtis Kassir helps keep things tidy in the back.
13. South River
Coach: Jeff Vincent
Last season: 12-2-2, No. 13
Postseason: Class 4A East, Section II finalist
Outlook: The Seahawks were downright stingy in claiming last season's Anne Arundel championship, limiting league foes to one goal. With three defensive starters back, led by senior Mason Reinhart, the trend should continue. Junior Alden Sullivan is a dynamic playmaker who can run things in the midfield, and he'll have plenty of scoring options around him.
14. South Carroll
Coach: Tim Novotny
Last season: 9-5-2, not ranked
Postseason: Class 2A West, Section II semifinalist
Outlook: With nine starters back, including Carroll County's most complete player, senior midfielder Kevin Morris, the Cavaliers have the necessary ingredients — skill, leadership and continuity — for a special season. Morris, who has played every minute of every game since his freshman year, is the starting point.
15. Broadneck
Coach: Sean Tettemer
Last season: 10-4-1, No. 10
Postseason: Class 4A East finalist
Outlook: Stacked with seniors, the Bruins have skill and experience throughout the lineup. What they lack is an established impact player who can instantly change the course of a game. Forward Joseph Velasquez could emerge as that player, and Trevor Wiggins brings consistently solid play in the midfield.
Others considered
Arundel (11-5, not ranked); Bel Air (10-3-3, not ranked); Glenelg (4-8-2, not ranked); Manchester Valley (4-11, not ranked); North Harford (9-2-2, not ranked); River Hill (13-3, not ranked); Severn (18-4-2, not ranked); Severna Park (8-5-2, not ranked); Westminster (10-6-1, not ranked)