Boys' Latin Lakers
1997 record: 17-0 (MIAA A Conference champs)
Coach: Bob Shriver
Top players: James Watson-Galbraith, Sr., M; Craig Hochstadt, Sr., M; Mike Thomas, Jr., M; Kevin Sullivan, Jr., A; Tom Vayda, Jr., A; Billy Thomas, Sr., A; Dan LaMonica, Soph., A; F.J. Federico, Soph.,D; Ryan Lafferty, Soph., D.
FOR THE RECORD - The spelling of Brenndan Mohler has been corrected for the archive database. See microfilm for original story.
Outlook: "We're starting over," said Shriver, who lost 22 players, including 10 starters, to graduation. "I'm just hoping to get two goals better every time we step on the field, and hopefully, by the end of the year get luck and and sneak into the playoffs." The Lakers will have their work cut out for them in competing for the two playoff spots with division rivals McDonogh and Calvert Hall. Watson-Galbraith, the Lakers' lone returning starter on offense, will be part of a talented midfield unit.
Calvert Hall Cardinals
1997 record: 10-5
Coach: Bryan Kelly
Top players: Mike LaMonica, Sr., A/M; Brett Wagner, Sr., M; John Ritcey, Jr., M; Chris Stebbings, Jr., D; Brian Mulford, Jr., A/M; Mike Norton, Jr., A; Matt Grinestaff, Sr., M; Matt Dudderar, Sr., M; Travis Glennon, Sr., D; Tony Russo, Jr., GK
Outlook: The Cardinals return two of the area's biggest scoring threats in LaMonica and Wagner and one of the best face-off guys in Ritcey. LaMonica is hungry, having missed nearly all of last season with a broken wrist.
Carver A&T Wildcats
1997 record: 14-1
Coach: Dave Wrzesinski
Top players: Kevin Ayd, Sr., M; Omar Ali, Sr., GK; Travis Wyczawski, Sr., A; Ryan Bartock, Sr., M; Mike Johnson, Soph., A.
Outlook: The Wildcats, who suffered their first and only loss to Hereford in the second round of the playoffs, have been bumped up to the county's middle division after winning the Division III title the last two years. Carver lost its two top scorers from last year but has two quality replacements in Ayd and Wyczawski.
Catonsville Comets
1997 record: 8-3
Coach: Matt Ames
Top players: Matt Lathroum, Sr., A; Nathan Phillips, Sr., A; Bob Bennet, Sr., GK; Sean Daley, Sr., D; Brenndan Mohler, Sr., M; John Murrow Jr., M.
Outlook: The Comets, who moved into the county's toughest division this season, return eight starters from a team that bowed to Oakland Mills in the second round of the playoffs. Ames, who has spent the last three seasons at Lansdowne, inherits an experienced group from veteran coach Warren Como.
Chesapeake Bayhawks
1997 record: 0-11
Coach: John Baker
Top players: Chris Porter, Sr., D; Sean Mooney, Jr. D; Richard Fields, Sr., A; James Reyna, Soph., A.
Outlook: With only one victory in the last three years and only three players who have ever played, the Bayhawks' first-year coach has established modest goals. "I just want them to develop a winning attitude," said Baker, who developed a winning tradition coaching Lake Clifton the last 11 years.
Dulaney Lions
1997 record: 12-3
Coach: Gary Schreiber
Top players: Steve Will, Jr., A; Josh Tracy, Jr., D; Brian Bacon, Sr., M; Scott Williams, Jr., D; Bryant Will, Fr., M.
Outlook: The Lions return only two starters from the team that lost to Mount Hebron in the state semifinals. Dulaney will have a tough time finding a replacement for All-County goalie Geoff Champney (Towson) but Schreiber insists his defense is still the strength.
Dundalk Owls
1997 record: 8-7
Coach: Brian Tallon
Top players: Nick Miller, Fr., D; Rob Harris, Soph., D; A.J. 'N Stapleton, Sr., D; Larry Williams, Jr., A.
Outlook: The Owls return just three players, including starters Harris and Stapleton, from a team that enjoyed a winning season before bowing to Dulaney in the region semis.
Eastern Tech Mustangs
1997 record: 12-4
Coach: Chad Roeder
Top players: Brian Johnson, Soph., M/A; Chris Markel, Soph., D; Matt Alt, Soph., D; Dan Eltrington, Sr., D; Justin Spangler, Soph., M/A; Justin Foudos, Soph., GK; Nathan Andrew, Soph., M/A.
Outlook: "Three words," said Roeder, who graduated players responsible for more than 100 goals. "Young, young and young." The Mustangs, who were moved up to the county's top division after going undefeated in the middle division the last two years, will start six sophomores.
Franklin Indians
1997 record: 5-7
Coach: Earl Deickman
Top players: Steve Posner, Jr., M; Scott Landes, Jr., M; John Schuster, Jr., A; Ben Murray, Sr., D; Steve Mays, Jr., D.
Outlook: Franklin returns eight players, mostly underclassmen, from a team that struggled last season before losing to Dundalk in the first round of regionals. "We're a fairly young team, but we're evolving," said Deickman. "I think we'll be very competitive."
Hereford Bulls
1997 record: 13-5
Coach: Whit Morrill
Top players: Pat Curtis, Sr., M; Justin Horst, Sr., M; Nick Glorioso, Sr., M; Todd Smith, Jr., M; R.T. Lonsdale, Sr., D; Rob Bateman, Soph., D; Luke Gilbert, Jr., A; Josh Bateman, Jr., A.
