AREA INTELLIGENCE
Maryland
The Terps’ seven losses were the most in the program’s 86-year history. Still, Maryland reached the NCAA quarterfinals and developed enough young players to look with optimism to 2010. Will Yeatman (6-6, 250) moves from the loaded attack to bolster the midfield. Last year’s top two scorers, Grant Catalino (47 points) and Ryan Young (40 points), return.
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Georgetown
After making the NCAA Tournament for 11 straight years, the Hoyas have come up dry the last two, dropping to 7-7 in 2009. The Hoyas’ fall is perplexing. Their seniors were hailed as the nation’s best recruiting class three years ago. Last year’s top three scorers — attacker Ricky Mirabito and midfielders Andrew Brancaccio and Scott Kocis, all seniors — are back to make amends.
Navy
The Midshipmen return their starting attack and first midfield line from a team that won its fifth Patriot League title in six years. But optimism is tempered by the loss of senior All-American Tim Paul, who suffered a torn ACL in Saturday’s 8-7 OT loss to Loyola. The Mids will try to get by with attackmen Brendan Connors and Andy Warner and standout long-stick midfielder Jaren Woeppel.
Virginia
The Cavaliers, winners of three national titles in the last 11 years, are strong in the midfield but untested at attack, where the lone returner, Steele Stanwick (58 points), will mentor freshman Connor English and sophomore Chris Bocklet. The duo combined for seven goals in a win over Mount St. Mary’s on Tuesday. All-American Ken Clausen leads the defense.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Billy Bitter, North Carolina
Dynamic attacker had 46 goals and 25 assists last season. Leader of a loaded, hungry Tar Heels squad that has not made the Final Four since 1993, failing to get past the quarterfinals in their last seven NCAA appearances.
Shamel Bratton, Virginia
The spectacular junior (31 goals) teams with sniper Brian Carroll (29 goals) and twin brother Rhamel Bratton (9 goals) to form the nation’s most explosive midfield. Shamel was a first-team All-American last season.
Ned Crotty, Duke
The instinctive playmaker and elusive dodger led the nation with 78 points (23 goals and 55 assists). He is complemented on the Duke attack by senior finisher Max Quinzani, who has 107 goals the last two years.
Andrew Brancaccio, Georgetown
The 6-foot-5 senior used his booming shot to score 22 goals. He teams with 6-4 Scott Kocis (21 goals) in a long, athletic midfield. GU becomes one of seven teams in the newly formed Big East, in which it will compete with Syracuse and Notre Dame.
