Howard County 2024 high school girls lacrosse season preview: Glenelg, Marriotts Ridge, Mt. Hebron headline the field
Mar. 21—By Jacob Steinberg — jsteinberg@baltsun.com
PUBLISHED:March 21, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.| UPDATED:March 26, 2024 at 11:55 a.m.
Howard County girls lacrosse once again features a wealth of talent across the board.
Glenelg, Marriotts Ridge and Mt. Hebron each return several impactful players from past teams despite graduating some of the county's top players, who've gone on to play at high-profile Division I one programs.
That leaves an opportunity for others to break through and become some of the county's best. Outside of those three schools, River Hill and Long Reach bring back multiple key pieces, while several other previously young teams have more varsity experience.
Regular-season action begins on Thursday with the postseason beginning on May 8. The state championships are May 21-23 at Stevenson University's Mustang Stadium. Howard County's 12 public school varsity teams are split between Class 2A West and 3A South.
Centennial and Oakland Mills are in 2A West Region I, while Glenelg, Hammond, River Hill and Wilde Lake are part of 2A West Region II. Howard, Long Reach, Marriotts Ridge and Mt. Hebron are in 3A South Region I, while Atholton and Reservoir are two of the four teams in 3A South Region II.
Here is a look at the county teams. Note: Not all teams submitted requests for information.
Atholton
Coach: Frank McGrath, first season
2023: 3-12
Top returners: Seniors Maddie Carter (M), Farah Boubsil (D), Hannah McGrath (A) and Lizzie Hanke (GK); juniors Natalie Evans (D), Ali Aballo (M), Claire DeLuca (D) and Allison Medlock (M).
Newcomer to watch: Junior Madison Gibson (D).
On the field: Coach McGrath steps into the leading role after serving as a varsity assistant the past two seasons. Carter, Boubsil, Hannah McGrath and Hanke give Atholton valued experience throughout the field. The Raiders also have supplemental depth from underclassmen Ava Rhodes and Natalie Aballo in the midfield.
Coach's outlook: "We are very optimistic this year after a disheartening 3-12 record last year. This year, we have a higher level of lacrosse experience across the board, which will help in all areas of the field."
Centennial
Coach: Kelsea Valance, second season
2023: 5-9
Top returners: Junior Adria Welsh (GK); sophomores Kaitlyn McManus (M), Claire Whipkey (M) and Bea Petrlik (A/M)
Newcomers to watch: Senior Yi Su (A); sophomore Abby Hitzelberger (M); freshmen Annabel Arrington (D) and Caroline Cudzilo (A).
On the field: The Eagles field a strong midfield group headlined by McManus and Whipkey, with Hitzelberger already gelling as a part of the unit. Welsh is back in between the pipes, while Su returns after not playing last season. Meanwhile, Petrlik and Cudzilo join her to round out a versatile attacking unit.
Coach's outlook: "We are a very young team and are already seeing incredible growth from our youngest and newest players thanks to our strong Eagles leadership, returners and coaches. Centennial is a home away from home for me in the spring. I wouldn't want to spend my time anywhere else but on the field, seizing opportunities with our program, getting better one day at a time and building something special. I am thankful for the consistent dedication to learn, be a part of a team and have fun playing lacrosse. The future is bright for the Eagles and I look forward to it. These girls are incredible student-athletes."
Glenelg
Coach: Alex Pagnotta, second season
2023: 14-3, Howard County champion, 2A West Region I finalist
Top returners: Seniors Kamryn Henson (M), Emily Altshuler (GK) and Lara Hoeflich (D)
On the field: The Gladiators graduated a ton of talent but bring back multiple marquee returners. Henson, a Virginia Tech commit, headlines the midfield group, while Altshuler, a UC Davis commit, anchors the backend as one of Howard County's top goalies. Hoeflich, a University of Delaware commit, provides even more stability on defense. Senior Chloe Key, who will play at Monmouth, adds more depth to the midfield after missing last year with a knee injury. Junior defender Riley Kelleher, a Stony Brook commit, is also returning from an injury.
Coach's outlook: "The team is coming together with a lot of youthful energy, good senior leadership, complemented by the return of several key players who were sidelined due to injuries last season. There's a sense of potential within this group, talent that's eager to prove itself on the field."
Glenelg Country
Coach: Chrissy Adair, first season
2023: 14-4, IAAM A Conference semifinalist
Top returners: Seniors Maggie Flanagan (M), Natalie Eastwood (GK), Lily Fortin (A) and Nichelle Desbordes (M); juniors Jess Doreen (A) and Sophia Rakis (A); and sophomore Ella Dyer (D).
Newcomer to watch: Freshman Lily Preston (M)
On the field: Adair takes over the Dragons after the retirement of Paige Walton, who led the program the prior 24 years. Eastwood, a South Florida commit, will be the anchor of the defense in net. Desbordes, a Delaware commit, and Flanagan, a Virginia Tech commit, are integral pieces of the midfield. Fortin, who will be playing at Oregon, headlines the attack unit.
Coach's outlook: "We are a younger team in experience but have some veterans that we will be looking to lead us this year. Our defense will be led by our goalie, Natalie Eastwood, who was recently selected to the U20 Australian National team, as well as sophomore Ella Dyer. In the midfield/attack we will rely on our seniors Maggie Flanagan and Lilly Fortin. Freshman Lily Preston will add speed and aggressiveness to our midfield."
Howard
Coach: Megan Hart, second season
2023: 9-3
Top returners: Seniors Jessica Vela (M) and Avery Lockwood (A); juniors Avery Graham (A), Emmie Williams (A) and Keira Eyster (D); sophomores Noelle Hall (D) and Brynn Bartlett (M).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Katelynn Lee (D) and freshman Courtney Brooks (M).
On the field: Howard will look to replace the 62-goal, 24-assist production of Jenna Vetter who graduated. To do that, the Lions will look to multiple players, including Lockwood, Graham and Williams at attack. Bartlett and Vela will add to that offensive attack from the midfield.
Coach's outlook: "We expect to be competitive within the county this year as with any other year."
Long Reach
Coach: Carlie Nethken, sixth season
2023: 8-5
Top returners: Seniors Chiara Pompei (A), Lucy Paulhamus (A), Alaina Norton (M), Lucy Howe (D) and Kimora Turner (D).
Newcomer to watch: Sophomore Samantha Legge (M).
On the field: The Lightning bring back a strong core led by Pompei and Paulhamus on the attack. Pompei, a UMASS Lowell commit, had 41 goals and 10 assists last year, while Paulhamus added 31 goals and 10 assists. In the midfield, Norton had 29 goals and 11 assists. Legge, a transfer from Howard will add more athleticism and speed to the offensive attack.
Coach's outlook: "Last year's 2023 season marked the most successful in program history, with eight wins. Now, with 11 starters returning, including nine seniors, there's a sense of unfinished business that they are determined to address. Chiara Pompei will resume leading our attack, while Lucy Paulhamus, Hayley Norton, and Delaney Daffan will set the pace on the offensive end, having collectively contributed 137 points last year. In the midfield, Alaina Norton and Bella Mooney will be key contributors on both ends of the field. Our defense will be anchored by returning starters Lucy Howe, Kimora Turner, Carly Vincent, and Alicia Bauer, supported by sophomore goalie Celeste (Ace) Jeffers."
Marriotts Ridge
Coach: Amanda Brady, 11th season
2023: 10-4
Top returners: Senior Chrish Vaxmonsky (M); junior Izzy Perry (D); and sophomore Allison Custer (M)
Newcomers to watch: Junior Kaelyn Krozy (GK); freshmen Jenna Cratin (M), Noelle Zahn (M) and Katie Leader (A)
On the field: The Mustangs will look to fill the void left by the graduation of three-time Howard County player of the year Maisy Clevenger. Vaxmonsky, Perry and Custer are three varsity returners who headline a versatile Mustangs offensive attack. The freshmen trio of Cratin, Zahn and Leader add even more speed and athleticism to the offense.
Coach's outlook: "We graduated many talented players and we look forward to rebuilding while striving to reach some big goals along the way this season. Our ability to navigate change, the ups and downs of a season and the girls genuine care for one another has been something I admire most about my girls. I look forward to seeing their hard work pay off this year."
Mt. Hebron
Coach: Samantha Hall, fifth season
2023: 11-5, 3A East Region I finalist
Top returners: Seniors Olivia Hoover (M/A), Ellie Smith (M) and Riley Osburn (D); junior Kaitlyn Magdar (M).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Natalie Machiran (D).
On the field: Mt. Hebron returns four All-County performers from last year with great speed and athleticism, especially in the midfield. Hoover, a Hofstra commit, is coming off a 43-goal, eight-assist season, while Smith, a Towson commit, had 40 goals and eight assists. She was also a force on the draw and defensively with 17 caused turnovers and 76 draw controls. Magdar, a University of Pittsburgh commit, added 36 goals and three assists. Osburn will be the anchor defensively, joined by Machiran in her first year playing on the team.
Coach's outlook: "I am excited for this season with this athletic, fast and talented group. They are extremely focused and hold themselves and each other at a high standard. It will be a really fun ride to see how far this determined group goes this season."
Oakland Mills
Coach: Jamie Twardowicz, sixth season
2023: 5-7
Top returners: Senior Emily Vaughn (A); juniors Taylor Chestnut (A) and Francheska Landaverde Bonilla (D).
Newcomers to watch: Freshman Tanvi Rajagopal (GK)
On the field: The Scorpions graduated a pair of All-County performers in Sara Novak and Kaity Browne, and will look to fill that offensive production. Offensively, Vaughn and Chestnut will spearhead that young group, while Landaverde Bonilla will be pivotal defensively in front of Rajagopal in her first varsity season.
Coach's outlook: "Looking forward to working on building our team up. We have a young team but a lot of numbers."
Reservoir
Coach: Joshua Ruehl, second season
2023: 4-8
Top returners: Seniors Taylor Sung (M) and Megan Cooper (M); sophomores Bailey Ko (A) and Elizabeth Ripkin (M).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Lonice Gray (GK)
On the field: Midfield figures to be one of the Gators' greatest strengths as Sung and Cooper bring key experience with added youth from Ripkin. On the attack, Ko will be a key piece, with Gray stepping into the fold as a first-year varsity goalie.
Coach's outlook: "We return a lot of our team from last year, after only losing two seniors from the season before. We have a good group of young talent mixed with the returning players from the previous season. Energy is high and the girls are excited for the upcoming year."
River Hill
Coach: Amy Weinberg, eighth season
2023: 10-5, 3A state quarterfinalist
Top returners: Juniors Katelyn Sauritch (M), Gabrielle Bergstrom (M) and Lauren Jee (D).
Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Serena Soldavin (GK) and Charlotte Laraway (M)
On the field: River Hill welcomes back several key returners with Sauritch (49 G, 8A) and Bergstrom (61 G, 7A) as key pieces offensively. The versatile midfield tandem combined for 110 goals and 15 assists last season. Each are also strong on the draw, with 98 and 60 draw controls, respectively last year. Jee also showed her offensive capability from the defensive side with 16 goals and will be a vital component on the backend. Laraway will provide added depth in the midfield, while Soldavin steps into cage after the graduation of former All-County performer Callie Thompson.
Coach's outlook: "This team has a lot of work ethic and hustle. Every athlete is committed to making this team succeed this year. I'm excited to see how our returners make an impact and how our new players step into their roles as well. I can't wait to see how well our team grows and adapts throughout this season. Every day they come in with positive attitudes and are willing to learn and develop their skills to their full potential."
Wilde Lake
Coach: Jacquie Sica, first season
2023: 4-10
Top returners: Seniors Alexis Kinhart (M), Sa'eeda Jackson (D), Reese Churilla (D); juniors Molly Eagan (M), Lauren Sykes (M) and Lillian Droney (A); and sophomore Sarena DeLessio (A).
Newcomer to watch: Sophomore Madison Brock (M)
On the field: The Wildecats graduated one of Howard County's top performers in Cassy Montgomery who had 47 goals and six assists last year. To make up for that loss, Kinhart, Eagan and Sykes will shoulder much of the load in the midfield, while Droney and DeLessio headline the attack unit. Both Jackson and Churilla provide stability on the backend, aided by Brock as a young sophomore.
Coach's outlook: "We are here to work hard, build each other up and leave it all on the field each and every day."
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