In the world of high school girls soccer, it?s all about defending what you?ve rightly earned. As the 2006 season approaches, local programs are trying to retain the titles that they claimed less than a year ago.
In the private school league, the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland, John Carroll will look to haul in a third consecutive A Conference title.
But according to Patriots coach Gary Lynch, it won?t be easy.
“The league is going to be loaded,” Lynch said. “It?s very, very top-heavy. There aren?t many teams that lost much” to graduation.
Lynch?s team returns nine starters to a squad that went 14-6 in 2005.
“I think we?ll still be very, very competitive,” Lynch said. “We have a lot of experience back. A lot of our starters are back.”
John Carroll will play two state champions from last season ? Class 4A champion C. Milton Wright and 3A champ Tuscarora ? in the 2006 regular season. The clash with cross-town rival C. Milton Wright should prove competitive and entertaining.
“They all know each other, so it?s a real good rivalry,” Lynch said.
C. Milton Wright won the 2005 championship of the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference ? comprised of teams from Harford and Cecil counties ? over Aberdeen.
“They have the potential to be very strong,” Lynch said of C. Milton Wright.
In always-powerful Howard County, Centennial and River Hill are poised for strong campaigns yet again. Centennial coach Mike Senisi has handed the program?s reins to first-year coach Kristen McManus.
“I?m obviously fortunate,” McManus said. “He was here for 12 years, so I have big shoes to fill. I?m just trying to continue to grow the program.”
Last year, Centennial won the county title, but River Hill was the team to make the state playoffs. Those two county powers will clash on the Eagles? home turf in October.
Tuscarora, the Frederick County team that ousted River Hill in the 3A state semifinal, won the 3A state final. They?re on the state power map after ousting Towson in the final.
Towson was one of three Baltimore County programs to make the state playoffs, joining Sparrows Point and Eastern Tech. Eastern Tech looks to defend its 2A state crown ? the first in school history ? with a solid group returning. Tech has made the state tournament for five consecutive seasons coming into 2006.
In Baltimore City, Western goes for a fourth consecutive city championship after a 9-3-1 season in 2005.
Anne Arundel programs saw a two-way tie for the county title, with Severna Park and Chesapeake sharing the distinction. Chesapeake was the lone county squad to make the regional playoffs, losing to 4A runner-up Whitman (Montgomery).
Liberty will look to build on an 11-4-1 season in Carroll County, while holding off the likes of Century, Westminster and Winters Mill.
