Field hockey: The poll

September 3, 2008

1. Garrison Forest

Last season: 17-2-1, ranked No. 1

•Coming off their first IAAM A Conference title since 1995, the Grizzlies return every starter. Looking solid throughout, they will make a strong run at repeating.

2. Severna Park

Last season: 16-3, No. 2

•The Falcons lost three games in a season for the first time in more than 20 years, but it didn't matter. They won the Class 4A title and despite losing 10 seniors, they appear ready to go after an 18th state title.

3. Broadneck

Last season: 15-2, No. 3

•The Anne Arundel County champs look strong in the back and have the players to step into leadership roles up front - plenty to give Severna Park another run for county and regional titles.

4. Bryn Mawr

Last season: 14-5-2, No. 6

•The Mawrtians graduated some significant players, but they were young overall a year ago, so it should be easy to fill most voids. It doesn't hurt to have one of the area's best goalies, Abigail Bisbee.

5. South River

Last season: 16-2, No. 4

•The Seahawks suffered big losses on defense but return their entire midfield and some key forwards to keep the Anne Arundel County race tight.

6. Fallston

Last season: 16-2-1, No. 5

•Graduation hit the Cougars hard in the backfield, but they have a multitude of players who can score, so expect the perennial Harford County power to make a run at an 11th state crown.

7. Archbishop Spalding

Last season: 11-9-1, No. 9

•The Cavaliers came on strong at the end to reach the IAAM A Conference title game, and they return plenty of talent.

8. Chesapeake-AA

Last season: 12-4, No. 8

•Returning half of their starters, the Cougars are yet another contender in Anne Arundel County. They will try to shore up a few holes to challenge the Big Three.

9. Towson

Last season: 14-3, No. 10

•The Baltimore County champs seem to come back strong every year, and it should be no different this time with some key returning players to lead the way.

10. Century

Last season: 12-7, unranked

•The Knights lost only two starters from a Class 2A state runner-up team. With their experience, they could come out on top in Carroll County.

11. Winters Mill

Last season: 9-5, unranked

•Returning almost every starter provides the Falcons with plenty of experience to make a strong push at the pinnacle of the Carroll County race.

12. C. Milton Wright

Last season: 11-4, No. 14

•The Mustangs return eight starters and 60percent of their scoring. Add that to a solid defense, and they could push Fallston.

13. Hereford

Last season: 10-4-1, No. 15

•Despite a large contingent of juniors, the Bulls return plenty of experience to fill in the few holes left by graduation and take a run at dethroning Towson.

14. Centennial

Last season: 16-3, No. 11

•The Eagles graduated 11 seniors and have a new coach, but that shouldn't keep them from remaining near the top of the Howard County race.

15. North Carroll

Last season: 10-3, No. 12

• The Panthers suffered significant turnover, but they have a habit of bouncing back quickly and have a couple of top-notch players.