More News

For six consecutive years, there has been one constant in Montgomery County girls lacrosse: Good Counsel winning the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.

The Falcons finished 18-2 a year ago en route to their sixth consecutive championship and a No. 12 national ranking according to laxpower.com.

Despite graduating Gazette Player of the Year Monica Baumgartner, the Olney school should boast one of its most talented squads. According to head coach Michael Haight, the Falcons currently have 16 players on the roster committed to play in college. Fourteen of them will attend Division I schools.

The Lechner sisters, Kelly and Shannon, return to pace a potent offensive attack along with junior center Brigid Smith, the team's leading scorer in 2009. On defense, senior Christina Sheridan is back in net along with back liners Kaitlin Sheridan, Emily Cunningham and Caroline Scanlon.

In addition to their conference slate, the Falcons will take on national powers Canandaigua Academy and West Genesee in New York and Baltimore County's McDonogh.

"[We hope] to be competitive in the WCAC," Haight said. "And hopefully return to the championship game."

Conference rival Holy Cross will lead the league's chase pack with longtime public school head coach Jenna Ries in her first year at the helm.

University of Virginia-bound senior Katie Slater leads the attack with draw controller Cat Raff (Ohio-Wesleyan) and junior midfielder Megan Taylor providing support.

"We really have some solid athletes, so we are going to be able to utilize all aspects of the game," Ries said. "It feels good to be here since Holy Cross has a solid legacy. ... We have good talent, but are looking to improve our depth."

The Tartans' early-season opponent, and last year's Independent School League runner-up, Bullis, will have to replace 11 starters and four Division-I players, including All-Gazette first teamers Alex Aust and Dina Jackson.

Seniors Chelsea Gleason and Tomi Beightol and junior Nicole Aust will step into more prominent offensive roles.

Unlike their private school counterparts, the county's public schools have struggled to be competitive against the rest of the state. They go into another season 0-for-history in state semifinals.

The closest a county team has ever come to tasting victory there was when Wootton fell, 11-6, to Catonsville in 2008. But the public schools have had their share of talent: Ries coached The Gazette's Player of the Decade in former University of Maryland standout Jessie Dorney (Quince Orchard '01).

"It's a slow process," Ries said. "I absolutely believe Montgomery County public schools will win a state title someday. They've had the top-notch recruits, but just haven't found the ability to win consistently. The private schools and other parts of the state just have more depth."

Added Blake head coach Janis Maloney: "We are seeing kids coming in now that have been playing for several years. So we are not having to teach the sport and can actually improve the team. ... The youth programs have infiltrated middle school and kids are telling their friends."

Carrying the public school flag this year should be defending 4A/3A West Division winner Churchill. The Bulldogs finished the 2009 regular season unscathed, but were upset by Walter Johnson in the Class 4A/3A West Region final.

Senior Zoey Kabelac, who led all scorers last year with 79 goals, will be the go-to player with the departure of All-Gazette first teamer Angela Biciocchi. Sophomore attacker Mairin Hall transfers in from Stone Ridge, while Sophia Ein and Sami Soma will provide defensive support.

"The girls got to know they can't take anyone for granted," Churchill head coach Christen Pena-Ariet said. "It's a brand-new season built from scratch. We can't go in assuming we are going to win every game, but we will definitely have the confidence to know we can."

Their primary competition could come from Sherwood, provided future Johns Hopkins University goalkeeper K.C. Emerson recovers by mid-season from a broken collarbone suffered during a skateboarding accident.

The Warriors will press on without their netminder for two early-season showdowns against Reservoir and Churchill. Seniors Ariel Nicholas and Cali Siravo form one of the most dangerous scoring duos in the county, while Sami Smith is the Warriors' primary defender.

Walter Johnson welcomes new head coach in Brittany Borsody and hopes to return to the Class 4A/3A state semifinals. Neighborhood rival B-CC could also make some noise under first-year head coach Katie Johnson and senior attacker Maggie Mitchell (63 goals)

Traditionally strong programs Damascus, Blake, Wootton and Whitman could emerge as dark horses with a mixture of youth and veterans.

The reigning 4A/3A East Division champion Bengals graduated stalwart netminder Molly Donaghue, but return a ton of offensive talent with seniors Justine Allen and Ashley Martin. Jane Grenaldo and Joyce Bartlett anchor the defense while rookie Caroline Wannen will look to continue her family legacy.

Fast Facts: Girls LAcrosse 2010

-Bethesda-Chevy Chase Barons

2009 record: 7-6

Players to watch: A Maggie Mitchell, M Sunny Cobb, M Melissa Jaskiewicz

Outlook: "Expect to be in the hunt come playoff time." — Katie Johnson

-Bullis Bulldogs

2009 record: 20-5

Players to watch: A Chelsea Gleason, M Tomi Beightol, M Merideth Swagart

Outlook: "Graduated11 seniors and four D-I players.'" — Kathleen Lloyd

-Churchill Bulldogs

2009 record: 14-1

Players to watch: A Marin Hall, A Zoey Kabelac, D Sophia Ein

Outlook: We have the potential for a winning season." — Christen Pena-Ariet

-Good Counsel Falcons

2009 record: 18-2

Players to watch: G Christina Sheridan, A Brigid Smith, M Kelly Lechner

Outlook: "Hopefully return to the championship game." — Michael Haight

-Holy Cross Tartans

2009 record: 11-5

Players to watch: A Katie Slater, C Cat Raff, M Megan Taylor

Outlook: "The girls are hungry to win." — Jenna Ries

-Holton-Arms Panthers

2009 record: 3-10

Players to watch: M/A Sarah Hansen, M/A Catherine Klinedinst, M Mikki Offit

Outlook: "Looking to build off of an exciting ... end to 2009." — Tricia Dabrowski

-Magruder Colonels

2009 record: 2-9

Players to watch: D Clara Pittleman, D Cassie Rosenberg, G Jenna Callaway

Outlook: "Strong on defense, but graduated all of the attack." — Michelle Lewis

-Richard Montgomery Rockets

2009 record: 7-6

Players to watch: M Sophie Koubek, M Anne McCallum, C Tessa Byrant

Outlook: "We have a great group of girls ... and a competitive schedule." — Nikki Ma

-Sherwood Warriors

2009 record: 8-4

Players to watch: G K.C. Emerson, A Ariel Nicholas, D Sami Smith

Outlook: "Outside of K.C. being hurt, everyone is back." — Mitch Rosenfeld

-Stone Ridge Gators

2009 record: 9-6

Players to watch: A Liz Kane, G Megan Conley, D Kimmy Horning

Outlook: "We have 11 seniors who offer the experience and maturity." — Kara Thiede

-Whitman Vikings

2009 record: 4-9

Players to watch: M/A Sarah Craig, M/A Shelby Holt, D Meredith Cahill

Outlook: "We seem to have a good attitude and work ethic." — Mary Pat Veihmeyer

-Wootton Patriots

2009 record: 8-5

Players to watch: M Molly Berman, M Stephanie Dwyer, M Erica Burns

Outlook: "We are always looking to win the division, region and then go for states." — Anne-Marie Steppling