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How do you replace a Gazette-Star Player of the Year? The short answer is you don't.

But the Bowie High School girls' soccer team must plug the hole left by goalie Mary Theresa Callahan's graduation last June in order to defend its 4A South Region crown in 2009. Her replacement, sophomore Nikki Jenkins, started on the junior varsity team last year and has seen little varsity action.

"She's able to hold onto the ball and she's got the height," Bowie first year coach Aaron Hankey said of Jenkins, who at 5-foot-8 is three inches taller than Callahan.

"We've been working and working and working with these goalies, showing them the ropes and exposing them to a lot," Hankey said. "Hopefully they'll be able to step up to the plate when the time comes."

Bowie has plenty returning firepower capable of picking up slack. Sophomore forward Marissa Green returns after earning Gazette-Star First Team honors as a freshman with a team-high 27 goals. Hankey expects big seasons from seniors Mary Randolph at forward, Kristi Hepner and Samantha Collins in the midfield, and defensive anchor Jeni Heizer, a Gazette-Star First Team pick last year.

"Honestly we're just tough all around, but a lot will depend on play in goal," Hankey said.

Queen Anne School

The Lions will join the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference after a three-year absence from the league that began when coach Betsy Fischer joined the team. As an independent team, Queen Anne finished 9-2-1 last year, but Fischer expects a harder road in PVAC play.

"Our girls will be about in the middle of the conference," Fischer said. "Overall it's a great team and we should have a good season."

Fischer has high expectations for senior team captain Lola Bode-George, one of six returning starters. She will split time at sweeper and midfield.

Riverdale Baptist

Last year's Maryland Independent League semifinalists took a big hit at graduation, losing eight starters. Third-year coach Chuck Vasser says three seniors are prepared to make up for his team's inexperience.

Senior midfielder Summer Odit, defender Shannon Douglas and goalie Alex Young will lead the Crusaders into 2009. Odit's five goals last year are tops among all returnees. Young had 35 saves last season in leading the club to a 10-9-2 finish.

"Alex understands what I want," Vasser said. "She's my voice in the back. The goalkeeping and our defense will be our strongest suit this year."

Central

Third-year coach Charles Dean makes no bones about his team's chances with six returning starters from last season's 5-5 team. Things aren't looking up in Capitol Heights.

"It's going to be a tough year," Dean said. "We lost a lot of our key players – the girls that were vocal leaders and kept everyone motivated. Somebody has to step up and be a leader because all the girls that had that drive are gone."

DuVal

After a season coaching the school's volleyball team, first-year coach Christy Colt inherits a team that won two games last year in the County 4A League. The team will field just 14 players, including six of last year's starters.

Junior striker Shaunice Carpenter will lead the offense while sophomores Joselyn Furentes and Veronica Robles anchor the defense.

"We're getting a jump start on things this preseason," Colt said. "I feel like my girls are dedicated and willing to work for me."

Flowers

The Jaguars return eight starters from last season's 8-6 team, but a veteran goaltender isn't one of them. Sophomore Doris Iherjirika comes up from the JV team after seeing spot time in varsity games last season.

Coach Todd Eiholzer is looking for senior Samatra Kavindama to lead the way in the midfield and provide a needed spark on offense.

"We're working on getting our offense prepped up," Eiholzer said. "We have some work to do but we can compete. They've certainly got the talent but it will depend on how hard they want to work."