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"Despite being a first-year Class 4A program, B-CC still has to be a favorite to win the West region. But it will be interesting to see how it fares when tested on a regular basis."

Quick hits

Bethesda/Potomac: Churchill senior Pam Vranis tallied 10 goals and 18 assists, contributing to 80 percent of the Bulldogs' scoring two years ago before missing last year with an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

Gaithersburg/Damascus: As a 16-year-old, Seneca Valley junior Jasmine Simpson played for the Trinidad and Tobago U-17 national team this summer.

Olney/Rockville: Sherwood's offense has undergone a complete makeover with first-year coach John Vukovich, deserting its patented longball tactics in favor of a possession-oriented attack.

Silver Spring/Burtonsville/Wheaton: First-year Wheaton coach Brandi Valencia and second-year Bullis coach Celeste Melanson are both coaching at the their alma maters.

Fast facts

B-CC Barons

2008 record: 17-0

Players to watch: Alex Doll, Victoria Gersh, Mallory MacRostie

2009 outlook: "It is going to be interesting to see if we can continue what we have done. But it is definitely, definitely, definitely, going to be harder. No questions asked." — head coach Rob Kurtz

Blair Blazers

2008 record: 14-2-0

Players to watch: Sofia Read, Jamie Kator, Imani Pierre

2009 outlook: "We are excited. I really have expectations we should have a season we'll be proud of." — head coach Bob Gibb

Bullis Bulldogs

2008 record: 10-3-4

Players to watch: Samira Jackson, Emily Siegel, Courtney Rubens

2009 outlook: "After finishing second in our conference, we are looking to continue the energy from last season to jolt us into the upcoming one." — head coach Celeste Melanson

Churchill Bulldogs

2008 record: 6-5-1

Players to watch: Pam Vranis, Alexis Shay, Jenna Cantor

2009 outlook: "I had 62 people try out, and I cut seven juniors and one returning senior. … I have not done that since my first year at Churchill. That sets the bar really high." — head coach Haroot Hakopian

Clarksburg Coyotes

2008 record: 7-6-0

Players to watch: Cassidy Pickles, Lexi McCarty, Kelsey Kenel

2009 outlook: "There are a lot of new faces. We are just going to get the team to try and mature together and get used to playing with each other." — head coach Troy Bowers

Damascus Swarmin' Hornets

2008 record: 9-4-0

Players to watch: Megan Polansky, Mary Humphrey, Alison Gardner

2009 outlook: "There is good chemistry amongst everyone and they are very positive. We really want to make it past the regional semifinals, where we lost last year." — head coach Katie Roberts

Einstein Titans

2008 record: 3-9-0

Players to watch: Cami Lapp-Camara, Mary Landfair, Katie Dunn

2009 outlook: "We are going to have to work really hard, but the girls came out with a lot of energy this year." — head coach Joan Rackey

Good Counsel Falcons

2008 record: 13-6-1

Players to watch: Crystal Koczot, Alexis Prada, Kelly Mueller

2009 outlook: "We will be one of the teams that top teams in the WCAC should be worried about." — head coach Jim Bruno

Holy Cross Tartans

2008 record: 3-14-2

Players to watch: Colleen Dinn, Paige Minturn, Hayley Saint

2009 outlook: "At this stage our goal is to develop our young players. We have four seniors on the team and we will be looking for underclassmen to step up and fill the sorts vacated." — head coach Nelson Abreu

Walter Johnson Wildcats

2008 record: 11-2

Players to watch: Chaucia Sydnor, Dani Armstrong, Catherine Madden

2009 outlook: "We are really looking forward to the season and hopefully proving that we will be just fine without Caroline Miller." —head coach Liz Friedman

Richard Montgomery Rockets

2008 record: 4-8-0

Players to watch: Nabila Parvaz, Ellen Johnson, Sophie Koubek

2009 outlook: "We are not the biggest team, we are not real tall, but we make up for it with athleticism and a bit more skill." — head coach Tony Pykosh

Northwest Jaguars

2008 record: 6-5-1

Players to watch: Cindy Beard, Johanna Kadam, Sheridan Allen

2009 outlook: "I am optimistic about this year's season. We definitely have a strong midfield." — head coach Katie Johnson

Northwood Gladiators

2008 record: 5-6-1

Players to watch: Mina Ulasevich, Rochelle Martinez, Carolyn Bruch

2009 outlook: "We want to have a little more production as far as goal numbers. We want to focus on the things we do well." — head coach Carlos Montalvan

Paint Branch Panthers

2008 record: 8-6-0

Players to watch: Anna Madden, Erin Larrabee

2009 outlook: "Now that we are going to 4A, we hope to hold our own and have some big wins and surprise a few people." — head coach Danielle Prietz

Poolesville Falcons

2008 record: 13-3-0

Players to watch: Marlene Haggblade, Mary Beliveau, Stephanie Boulter

2009 outlook: "I think after last season, the standard is set really high for us." — head coach Christina Mann

Quince Orchard Cougars

2008 record: 14-3-0

Players to watch: Ele Margelos, Kayla Clarke, Emily D'Italia

2009 outlook: "We certainly cannot assume that we are going to go as far as we have gone every year. We have to fight for everything we get. We just try and keep it realistic that way." — head coach Peg Keiller

Rockville Rams

2008 record: 3-9-2

Players to watch: Julia Cosmos, Caryn Bailey, Mellanie Levin

2009 outlook: "I had a bunch of freshmen and sophomores starting last year. We hope to learn from our experience and learn to play to each other's strengths and weaknesses." — head coach Mike Hayes

Seneca Valley Screaming Eagles

2008 record: 6-8-0

Players to watch: Jasmine Sampson, Danni MacKenzie, Tiffany Wilson

2009 outlook: "Last year, my team was the youngest one in Montgomery County. Now with another year of experience, we are hoping for better results." — Claude Sayag

Sherwood Warriors

2008 record: 3-8-0

Players to watch: Rachel Lewis, Hailey Adam, Ariel Nicholas

2009 outlook: "We have a lot of returners and they have set their expectations very high, early." — head coach John Vukovich

Wheaton Knights

2008 record: 0-11

Players to watch: Lydia Mendez, Crescentia Motoyah

2009 outlook: "I definitely think we can win a few games, I just need the girls to start believing. I think they are going to be surprised." — head coach Brandi Valencia

Whitman Vikings

2008 record: 10-6

Players to watch: Emma Bethel, Hannah Meyer, Kat Barth

2009 outlook: "Going into this season, I do not know what to expect. But we have some really good and experienced players. We want to win our division, and ultimately, win the state championship." — head coach Greg Herbert

Wootton Patriots

2008 record: 7-5-1

Players to watch: Allison Yeager, Molly Berman, Abby Engelman

2009 outlook: "Last year, we played a lot of the big schools well but did not get that signature win we were looking for. But this year, hopefully we can do that and win against the better schools in the county." — head coach Keith Yannity