Baltimore Sun reporter Katherine Dunn picks the top 15 girls lacrosse teams in the metro area.
1. McDonogh
Coach: Chris Robinson
Last season: 21-0, No. 1
Postseason: Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference champion
Outlook: The Eagles' national-record winning streak reached 112 as they won their sixth straight A Conference championship and earned their fifth consecutive national No. 1 ranking. They kept it rolling last season after graduating 17 starters and they lost just three this time, although one was go-to attacker Megan Whittle, now starting at Maryland. The Eagles, however, might have their best midfield ever. They should remain dominant on the draw, and they have a lot of players who can finish.
2. Severn
Coach: Renie Sotiropoulos
Last season: 14-5, No. 2
Postseason: IAAM A Conference semifinals
Outlook: The Admirals return all but three starters from a team that pushed McDonogh before losing, 13-12, in the A Conference semifinals. They return a stingy defense, speed between the 30s and a team-oriented attack with plenty of finishers.
3. Roland Park
Coaches: Kristin Nicolini, Regan Koffel
Last season: 16-5, No. 3
Post season: IAAM A Conference final
Outlook: The Reds started last season unranked but made it to the A Conference final, where they fell to McDonogh, 16-13. With 18 returning players and few holes to fill, the Reds draw plenty of motivation from last season's end.
4. Mount Hebron
Coach: Trish Derwart
Last season: 13-2, No. 7
Postseason: Class 3A-2A South quarterfinals
Outlook: The Vikings return eight starters from a team that lost the Section I final to Century in overtime. With plenty of firepower and midfield strength, the only question is how quickly their line defense can come together around one returning starter.
5. Notre Dame Prep
Coach: Mac Ford
Last season: 10-5, No. 5
Postseason: IAAM A Conference semifinals
Outlook: The new coach inherits a team with few returning starters but exceptional talent and leadership, as well as depth all over the field. Eighty players came out for the team and Ford kept about 30. He's planning to use many players to support an aggressive style of play.
6. Archbishop Spalding
Coach: Don Restly
Last season: 15-6, No. 6
Postseason: IAAM A Conference quarterfinals
Outlook: The Cavaliers graduated three stellar seniors, but there are 14 in this class to lead a team that has gotten better each of the past three years. Along with a balanced offense that runs five or six players deep, they have a steady veteran defense.
7. Manchester Valley
Coach: Shelly Brezicki
Last season: 18-1, No. 8
Postseason: Class 2A-1A champion
Outlook: Coming off their first championship season, the Mavericks return nine starters from the team that lost only to Roland Park, 15-13. They have all the tools to make a run at repeating, but will need new leadership to emerge.
8. Bryn Mawr
Coaches: Wendy Kridel, Kim Simons Tortolani
Last season: 8-8, No. 9
Postseason: IAAM A Conference quarterfinals
Outlook: The Mawrtians could make a big jump in the A Conference with a large group of seniors and plenty of leadership. One area to watch will be the goal, where the Mawrtians usually excel and where two promising freshmen are battling for the starting job.
9. Century
Coach: Becky Groves
Last season: 12-5, No. 10
Postseason: Class 3A-2A quarterfinals
Outlook: The Knights return 11 starters and one of the biggest talent pools in the area, including three seniors headed to Maryland. With loads of attack, dominating midfielders and a stingy defense, they just need to tighten up the goaltending to make a run at the state title.
10. Marriotts Ridge
Coach: Amanda Brady
Last season: 17-2, No. 4
Postseason: Class 3A-2A champion
Outlook: The two-time defending state champions will endure their biggest turnover in years, with only five starters returning. The Mustangs need to develop leadership and replace a lot of offense, but they have the young talent to surprise a few opponents.
11. C. Milton Wright
Coach: Brent Ritz
Last season: 13-5, No. 14
Postseason: Class 3A-2A North regional final
Outlook: The Mustangs lost just four players — three middies and a defender — but they won't be easy to replace. If C. Milton Wright can fill those roles, it should make another run at the region title, especially after playing one of the area's most challenging nonleague schedules.
12. Severna Park
Coach: Kaitlyn Fuller
Last season: 15-2, No. 11
Postseason: Class 4A-3A state champion
Outlook: Fuller, a former Falcon, takes over one of the state's most successful programs from her aunt, Carin Peterson. The Falcons return a solid core of veterans up and down the field, but they will have a newcomer in the goal.
13. Fallston
Coach: Mike McTeague
Last season: 14-4, No. 15
Postseason: Class 2A-1A state final
Outlook: The Cougars graduated just five starters, but they were the two leading scorers and three starting defenders. Still, there are young players eager to fill those roles and return to the state tournament for a fifth straight year.
14. Broadneck
Coach: Katy Kelley
Last season: 14-3, No. 13
Postseason: Class 4A-3A East quarterfinals
Outlook: The Bruins, who won the state title in 2013, will be rebuilding this season after graduating many of their key players. However, they do return experience on defense and that should keep them in the hunt in Anne Arundel County.
15. South River
Coach: Caroline Cochran
Last season: 8-7
Postseason: Class 4A-3A East Section I semifinals
Outlook: The Seahawks have their third head coach in three years and an injury will sideline their premier player, Madison Carter, at least until late in the season, but a veteran returning group could put them back into a heated Anne Arundel County race.
Others considered: Glenelg (12-4), John Carroll (10-9), Liberty (9-4) Mount de Sales (7-11), St. Paul's (7-7), Towson (11-4)