For the past two seasons, the county standings have seen coach Chris Little’s Century Knights emerge on top after getting the better end of some tough county battles.
Liberty’s Hannah DeVincent has seen enough.
Ready for her senior season, the reigning Player of the Year looks to lead the Lions past their arch rivals and take the county crown this season. With all-county teammate Bryce Sarver also ready to go, look for the Lions-Knights matchup to be the key to crowning a county champion once again.
Winters Mill is coming off a winning record as coach Tom Pennell brings two strong seniors in Emma Jewel and Addie Myers to the table, looking to improve as a program and establish themselves as contenders.
Wade Shank’s first season leading Manchester Valley was decimated by injuries, but with his goalie Emma Lander and Emma Penczek back, no one should count out a fully healthy Mavericks squad.
Here’s how each Carroll County team shapes up as the season approaches:
Century
Coach: Chris Little, fourth season
Last season: 12-2-3, county champions
Top returners: Seniors Bella Coccio, Lexi McGinnis (East Carolina commit) and Maddison Spradlin; juniors Mia Savage and Megan Taltavull; sophomore Lenah Ham.
Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Ryley Poe.
Coach’s outlook: “Losing 11 seniors and six starters will be a challenge to replace. Harli Hamlett’s 11 goals and five assists led the team. Additionally, our defense will have a new look after graduating Megan Rusk, Madi Prietz and Natalie Mattox. Our first six games are out of county vs. three IAAM A conference teams, 3A Towson, 4A Thomas Wooten and Southern.”
Francis Scott Key
Coach: Teresa Watkins, second season
Last season: 5-9
Top returners: Seniors Abby Rieger and Kensi Bancroft; junior Camryn Gillis; sophomore Shelby Bladen.
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Lily LaPierre and Tristan Kiser; sophomore Sarah Schaeffer.
Coach’s outlook: “We have six returning players from last year’s varsity squad and are working together to become more confident as a unit every day while pushing each other in practice.”
Gerstell Academy
Coach: Mike McGinnis, first season
Last season: 6-6-2, IAAM B Conference quarterfinalist
Top returners: Seniors Kiara Hardy and Sara Fenwick; junior Cambie Franks; sophomore Cadence Poklemba.
Newcomer to watch: Freshman Savannah Devers.
Coach’s outlook: “We have an athletic and experienced senior-heavy team with multiple core leaders returning. We are expecting to compete well in our IAAM B conference.”
Liberty
Coach: Danielle Prietz, 10th season
Last season: 12-5-1
Top returners: Seniors Hannah Devincent (2023 Player of the Year; Hilbert College commit) and Madison Smith; junior Bryce Sarver.
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Sophia Macijewski, Lilly Kashima and sophomore Peony Kang.
Coach’s outlook: “The single most important key to continued success for the season is to stay focused as a team and work together as a team. I think all teams will be competitive this year throughout the county and see us in the top half.”
Manchester Valley
Coach: Wade Shank, second season
Last season: 4-11
Top returners: Seniors Emma Lander, Caitlin Shank and Emma Penczek; sophomore Lilah Kresslein.
Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Mackenzie Partridge; freshman Grace Blizzard and Kaylee Sczepucha.
Coach’s outlook: “We have a lot returning players, so we should be able to build on the style of play we started to focus on last year. Hope to be in the middle of the standings in the county if all goes well.”
South Carroll
Coach: Andrew Isacco, 15th season
Last season: 9-4
Top returners: Seniors Ella Boyce, Clare Babcock and Jillane Matty; juniors Bree Hancock and Kelly Paul.
Newcomers to watch: Junior Anna Santacroce; sophomores Kenley Kalbaugh and Caitlyn Ott.
Coach’s outlook: “We’re excited about the players who returned and our new players as well. Our success will depend on how quickly we progress as a team and how well we navigate our league and out of county schedule.”
Westminster
Coach: Shawn Taylor, second season
Last season: 7-7
Top returners: Seniors Jennifer Vasquez, Stella Schoberg, Kate LoPiccolo, Riley Taylor and Clara Kemp; juniors Emmerson Hill and Libby Green.
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Rachael Lee and Sherina Jassir; sophomores Angie Hyatt and Brinley Boag.
Coach’s outlook: “Westminster is led by nine seniors this year and look to overcome another tough schedule this season. We look to be very competitive again in county and play strong against top level Baltimore and Fredrick County teams.”
Winters Mill
Coach: Tim Pennell, third season
Last season: 8-4
Top returners: Seniors Senior Emma Jewell and Addy Meyers; sophomore Hannah Neske
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Elizabeth Bogdan and Sophie Bogdan; sophomore Natalie Furr.
Coach’s outlook: “With only four senior starters, we will rely on a large number of underclassmen to carry the load. The team has been working all summer to develop some great team chemistry that will help us hit the ground running game one.”
