Baltimore City teams at a glance GIRLS LACROSSE PREVIEW

Bryn Mawr Mawrtians

1996 record: 9-5-1

Coach: Anne Townsend Kessenich

Top players: Kim Smith, Jr., A; Charlotte Graham, Sr., M; Katie MacColl, Sr., D; Rachel Arnot, Sr., D.

Outlook: The Mawrtians rebounded from .500 in 1995 to emerge as a contender in the Association of Independent Schools A Division last year. After losing five starters, they will be young with seven freshmen. Smith (68 goals, 18 assists) is one of the league's top scorers, but the Mawrtians need someone to set her up, having lost All-Metro center Emily Hickman to graduation. Although they have strong players back on defense, the Mawrtians may struggle a bit, especially because Arnot will be playing, but still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Catholic Cubs

1996 record: 11-4

Coach: Mary Ann Sattler

Top players: Becky Bieneman, So., A, Jessica Peacock, Sr., M; Natalie Loftus, Jr., M; Kelly Zakrzweski, Sr., D; Alison Healey, Jr., A; Sarah Cook, Fr., D.

Outlook: The Cubs enjoyed a terrific turn-around season last year, rebounding from 1-9 in 1995. Young players came on quickly, especially Bieneman (77 goals, 10 assists), who emerged as one of the league's top threats. The Cubs, who lost only four starters, have speed and athletic ability. They also know how to win, so they should again contend in the AIS B Division.

City Knights

1996 record: 4-5

Coach: P. J. Kesmodel

Top players: Felicia Johnson, Jr., M; Krystin Weaver, Fr., G; Jessica Shipley, Fr., A; Ericka Brown, Fr., A; Diamonte Brown, Fr., M; Rosie Hicks, Fr., M.

Outlook: Kesmodel, who guided Mount Hebron to four state titles, takes over a young City team. The Knights, who lost probably the city league's best player, midfielder Ebony Thompson, to graduation, could start as many as nine freshmen. Johnson is the only returnee, but Shipley, the Browns and Hicks have middle school or recreation experience. With only 14 girls on the roster, Kesmodel's biggest challenge will be putting 12 on the field at once.

Forest Park Foresters

1996 record: 0-6

Coach: Robert Britt

Top players: Akuelia McDaniels, Jr., M; Sumiko Squire, Jr., M.

Outlook: Britt's biggest challenge is to bring back consistency, but that's hard with just 10 girls on the roster. Last season, the Foresters had to forfeit two games because they didn't have enough players. McDaniels and Squire are the only girls who returned, so Britt is sticking to the basics.

Friends Quakers

1996 record: 7-8-1

Coach: Carol Samuels

Top players: Abby Owen, Sr., M; Ella Mason, Jr., D; Tammy McLeod, Jr., D; Caroline Keelty, Jr., A; Maron Deering, So., G/A; Erin Hall, Jr., D.

Outlook: The Quakers were right in the A Division race last year, but dropped a lot of one- and two-goal games. Samuels now faces a rebuilding season after losing nine starters to graduation. Owen and Hall have missed the entire pre-season on international study trips, so the Quakers may get off to a rocky start. With strength on defense, Samuels is looking for more attack players to help Keelty.

Institute of Notre Dame Indians

1996 record: 7-8-1

Coach: Mary Beth Bollinger

Top players: Beth Milani, Jr., M; Jill Thanner, Jr., G; Jill Spalding, So., A; Erin Dolan, So., M.

Outlook: After losing eight starters, including their entire field defense, the Indians require some rebuilding to contend in the AIS B Division. Ten of their 16 players are underclassmen. They have speed in the midfield, a proven scorer in Milani and a veteran goalie in Thanner, but the Indians will need time for their youngsters to gain experience.

Mercy Magic

1996 record: 12-5

Coach: Joy Lewandowski

Top players: Shannon Cohen, Sr., A; Tina Steck, Sr., D; Kate Plantholt, Jr., G; Kelly Bennett, Sr., A; Jessie Steck, So., D.

Outlook: The Magic has reached the AIS B Division title game for three straight years without a championship. With defending champ John Carroll moving up to the A Division, the Magic feel this could finally be the year. Mercy is young but has senior leadership. Lewandowski, who guided the Magic to two title games before taking a year off, has a knack for developing young players quickly.

Patterson Clippers

1996 record: 3-6

Coach: Wrae Wene

Top players: Denise Dillow, Jr., M; Farrah Palmer, Jr., M; Tamara Wheeler, Jr., M; Lucy Sevdalis, Jr., D; Alicia Alvez, Jr., G/A.

Outlook: The Clippers are looking to a strong midfield, which has experience and speed, to carry them through a rebuilding season. As with most city teams, numbers are a problem. 30 girls signed up, but Wene is down to 17; she finished last spring with 12.

Poly Engineers

1996 record: 6-3

Coach: Adreon Hubbard

Top players: Michelle Miller, Sr., M; Mary Sara Salvania, Sr., A; Brandis Matthews, So., A; Jessica Bannon, Jr., M; Taisha Williams, So., G.