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IN YOUR FACE: River Hill defender Alex Turner (above), a linebacker for the Hawks' Class 2A state title-winning football team last fall, is the lone returning starter to their lacrosse squad's defense. 
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The atttitude of River Hill's boys' lacrosse coach, Keith Gonsouland, is one of an even keel heading into this season.
Yes, his Hawks graduated some 16 seniors, including top scorer and Georgetown University freshman, Daniel Hostetler, from a team that split wins with eventual Class 3A-2A state champion and Howard County rival Glenelg.
But the Hawks also return an excellent, talented blend of youth and experience, including Hostetler's cousin, Luke Hostetler, as well as defender, Alex Turner and an inexperienced yet talented goalie.
The progress of Hostetler, the leadership of Turner, and the play of the 6-foot-3, newcomer, Murray, will go a long way toward determining the Hawks' fate in a balanced league that has produced a state champion during each of the past three seasons in Mount Hebron, Centennial and Glenelg.
"Last year, we had a good regular-season. We had a team that, obviously, had one big gun in Daniel Hostetler," said Gonsouland, in his eighth-year, who also graduated several other players who are now participating on the collegiate level.
"There are a lot of holes to fill, particularly on the defensive side of the ball and in the defensive midfield," Gonsouland said. "But I'm feeling pretty confident this year that we do have some guys who can step up and put the ball into the back of the net, and that we will be difficult to match up with in our midfield."
So confident is Gonsouland that Luke Hostetler will move to the attack. Murray, a beefy player with surprising agility, should develop well behing Turner, the lone returning starter to the Hawks' defense.
In addition, Murray, Hostetler and Turner were a lineman, quarterback and linebacker, respectively, as members of last fall's Class 2A state title-winning River Hill football team, which went 14-0.
"We definitely lost a lot of senior leadership on defense. I'm the only returning starter from last year, so we're going to have to pick up the intensity after having one of the top defenses in the county," said Turner.
"But we have a lot of young talent on the team, and a lot of hard-nosed kids," Turner said. "That will either make or break our defense in terms of our attitude."
Coach: Keith Gonsouland, eighth year.
Last year's record: 12-4, reached second round of Class 3A-2A playoffs, lost to eventual state champ, Glenelg
Top returning players: Evan Van Stone, Sr., M; Alex Turner, Sr., D; Luke Hostetler, Jr., A-M; Daniel Thyberg, Sr., A; Eric Cates, Sr., M; R.J. Murray, Sr., G; Jimmy Marlatt, Soph., M.
