Baltimore County boys soccer previews

Arlington Baptist Eagles

1996 record: 6-4

Coach: Andy Gossel

Top player: Scott Booker, junior, M

Outlook: The Eagles, on their third coach in three years, look to remain competitive in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association C Conference under first-year coach Gossel, a recent Baptist Bible College (Pa.) graduate.

Beth Tfiloh Warriors

1996 record: 8-9

Coach: Sam Perlin

Top players: Justin Dagen-Lubich, senior, M; Eli Pristoop, senior, GK

Outlook: The Warriors lost the core of their defense but field a more aggressive team offensively. Dagen-Lubich and Pristoop, two All-MIAA C Conference performers, lead under new coach Perlin.

Boys' Latin Lakers

1996 record: 14-4-1

Coach: Butch Maisel

Top players: Andy Strothman, senior, GK; Jon Singer, junior, F; Greg Hendler, junior, D; Chris Edwards, junior, M

Outlook: The Lakers have captured two of the past three MIAA B Conference crowns, including last year's 1-0 victory over St. Mary's, but will be totally revamped this season. Boys' Latin lost 10 players to graduation and are looking strongly to Strothman, who played a major part in nine shutouts last season.

Calvert Hall Cardinals

1996 record: 21-0-1

Coach: Bill Karpovich

Top players: Cam Letke, senior, F; Brian Powell, senior, F; Mike Schaeffer, senior, M; Matt Joseph, senior, M; P.J. Wakefield, senior, M; Fran Scarfield, senior, M; Mike Duley, senior, D; Tim Gober, senior, D

Outlook: The Cardinals return nearly intact from last year's MIAA A Conference championship team and should be among the nation's elite. Karpovich, whose teams have won 18 league titles in just over 30 years of coaching, said this year's Cardinals "have the potential to be one of my best teams and the ability to have a great, great year." Four first team All-Baltimore County/City performers are back, including Letke (21 goals, 13 assists), a powerful finisher who scored the game-winner in the MIAA A Conference title game last fall.

Carver A&T Wildcats

1996 record: 9-3-1

Coach: Ian Reid

Top players: Kevin Ayd, senior, GK; Aaron Keeny, senior, M; Derek Simms, senior, D; Chris Krysztofiak, senior, M

Outlook: Gone are five seniors and 95 percent of the Wildcats' scoring last year. Carver A&T, which has won 19 of its past 25 games, will look to win with defense and Ayd, a fourth-year varsity player.

Catonsville Comets

1996 record: 6-5-1

Coach: Dave Lane

Top players: Matt Clagg, senior, GK; Curt Uttenreither, senior, F; Don Scott, sophomore, M; Kai Degner, junior, M; John Murrow, junior, D

Outlook: With only seven returnees, Catonsville is building, and this team is Lane's youngest in 12 years of coaching. More than half the Comets are sophomores or juniors.

Chesapeake Bayhawks

1996 record: 3-7

Coach: George Sfikas

Top players: Stu Bera, senior, M; Chebin Nwamoh, senior, D; David Bilodeau, senior, D; Richard Fields, senior, D; Bill Stricklin, senior, F; Gene Gendimenico, senior, F

Outlook: The Bayhawks and second-year coach Sfikas anticipate another improving year, going from 0-11 to 3-7 last year. Chesapeake maintains a defense-orient- ed system, relying heavily on Bera and Nwamoh.

Dulaney Lions

1996 record: 8-3-1

Coach: Craig Laferty

Top players: Tony Arditi, senior, M; Mike Keppeler, junior, D; Rhombus Krywonis, junior, D; Steve Will, junior, M; Tom McGinley, senior, M; Josh Tracey, junior, GK; Willie Leonard, senior, F; Patt Quinn, junior, F; John Newton, freshman, F; Mike Hoeck, sophomore, M

Outlook: The Lions have a good nucleus back but are untested. Its season ended by longtime rival Perry Hall the past two seasons in the playoffs, Dulaney should contend again. Arditi, a three-year starter, keys the midfield, and Tracey is in his first year as the full-time keeper.

Dundalk Owls

1996 record: 8-4-1

Coach: Geoff Holland

Top players: Dan Saul, senior, D; Dan Walton, senior, D; Ryan Barrow, senior, M; Jason Cox, junior, GK; Steve Hutchins, junior, F

Outlook: The realigned Owls beat every team in their new division a year ago, so with seven starters back, Holland believes the Owls could be in a strong chase for a state title. Returners include last fall's leading scorer (Hutchins) and top goalkeeper, Cox, who had seven shutouts last year.

Eastern Tech Mavericks

1996 record: 3-8-1

Coach: Peter Glaudemans

Top players: Josh Hardester, senior, G; David Ogden, senior, F; Justin Thomas, senior, F; Brian Wittig, senior, M; Jeff Hoilman, senior, D; Eric Ercole, senior, D; Joe Sladen, junior, M; Brandon Brookshire, sophomore, F; Jose Barbosa, junior, G

Outlook: The Mavericks are the school's most skilled squad in six years and are anticipating a productive season.

Franklin Indians

1996 record: 6-5-2

Coach: Larry Meekins

Top players: Chris Hunt, senior, M; John Schuster, junior, M; Nick Outten, junior, D

Outlook: Meekins must blend five returnees with 14 juniors up from JV. With the inexperience, the Indians appear to be hesitant on attack but will try to balance out with defensive intensity.

Hereford Bulls

1996 record: 8-8

Coach: Glenn Quinn

Top players: Jared Murphy, senior, M; Patt Danaher, senior, M