Western junior goalie Jessica Mengle will be key in the Doves' title defense in Baltimore City. The Doves have won the last five city titles.
Senior Natalie Neill is the top player for Poly this fall. The center mid is one of eight returning starters for the Engineers.
dtoney@digitalsports.com
Will 2008 bring a changing of the guard in Baltimore City girls' soccer? Western has set the pace with five consecutive championships, but its inexperience heading into the fall may be present opportunity for others.
The likely candidate will be the Doves' archrival Poly. City, Digital Harbor and Patterson will also look to close the gap.
City College KnightsCoach: Cedric Smith (1st season)
Smith, a 2001 graduate and former boys' player at City, will try to bring the girls' program to respectability. The Knights return seven starters among 10 letterwinners.
Junior center mid Rachel Weaver will key the offensive attack with sophomore forwards Rabiah Elisa and Beatrix Lockwood. Smith likes his defense up the middle with junior stopper Celeste Ansley and senior Molly Mountain especially with two first-year goalkeepers.
"We feel we have a really strong team," said Smith. "We have a lot of sophomores and juniors we can build on for the next couple of years."
Digital Harbor RamsCoach: Lisa Martin
After winning one game last season, the Rams hope for improvement in 2008. The Rams return nine players along with a host of freshman newcomers.
Keriann Barlag (sweeper), forwards Stephanie Barlag and Dakota Mitterright, Amanda Oese (forward/midfield) and goalie Whitney Knofski are returning senior veterans. The junior duo of Marie Almojuela and Ana Vomora return at midfield along with sophomore forward Randi Hren. Martin would like to see the Rams make a run at .500.
"Our defense tends to be our strongest area," said Martin. "We have a little bit of experience. I'm hopeful, but cautious."
Patterson ClippersCoach: Dan Spears (3rd season)
The Clippers look to improve on last fall's 4-6 showing. The Kane Avenue school has six starters returning among eight letterwinners.
Only a sophomore, striker Ciara Webb has emerged as the Clippers' top performer, and senior Shanique Hurtt and juniors Shannon Watson and Brittany Wright return to midfield. Seniors Amber Horner and Gloria Sanitillano will key the defense.
"I think our midfield will be much stronger," said Spears. "I expect to be at least .500. We're still lagging behind Poly, Western and City."
Poly EngineersCoach: Josh Headley (6th season)
The Engineers are in line to end Western's strangehold in the city league. They return eight starters from a team that lost to eventual state finalist Eastern Tech in the Class 2A North Region semifinals last season.
Senior center mid Natalie Neill is Poly's premier performer with sophomore forward Evangelia Kolifotis and junior sweeper Michelle Lampart also back in the fold. Headley said he'd be happy if Poly split with Western this fall. The teams play Sept. 19 and Oct. 10.
"We're looking to go undefeated," said Headley, whose went 7-6 in 2007. "This isn't a team of individuals. We definitely have no stars."
Western DovesCoach: Susan Winemiller (8th season)
Unlike previous seasons, Winemiller is very cautious about the Doves this fall. With four returning players with a host of varsity newcomers, Western (10-3-1 last fall) may be a work in progress.
Senior stalwarts Mierra Pratt (center mid) and Beth Murphy are back for a fourth season. Junior goalie Jessica Mengle is probably the best in the city league, and junior Courtney Winkler returns at center back.
"It's going to be a challenge," said Winemiller. "There's a lot of more parity. Poly and Patterson are really coming along. This is a brand new team."