Final 2016 Rank: #6
2016 Record: 14-5-1
The Bobcats will have a new defense, but the offense which led Bel Air to the Class 4A State Championship should be just as strong, as Vince Rose and Connor Lorenz return.
Final 2016 Rank: #2
2016 Record: 19-4-2
Led by senior Nick Richardson, a University of Maryland commit and the 2016 VSN Defensive Player of the Year, Curley seeks to break through for a MIAA A Conference title, after two consecutive losses in the league finals. Senior Ben Stitz, a University of Pennsylvania commit, is the key to the Friars' offense.
Final 2016 Rank: #3
2016 Record: 14-3-2
After spending large chunks of the 2016 season atop the VSN poll, the Gaels return a deep and talented team which will enter the season as co-favorites in the MIAA A Conference with Archbishop Curley. Seniors Brett St. Martin, a University of Maryland commit, and Tyler Collins are two of the top defenders in the state and senior Ian Reger returns as one of the area's top scoring threats.
Final 2016 Rank: #4
*2016 Record: * 15-7
After losing only one match over the two previous seasons, a young McDonogh squad fell seven times in 2016, but the Eagles came on strong at the end of the year and are poised to make an bigger push this fall. Traditionally, McDonogh garners its strength from the back forward and defenders Jake Steinberg and Luke Davis will lead the back line, while Casey Settleman is the team's top weapon up top.
Final 2016 Rank: #7
2016 Record: 15-3-1
Andrew Belloff is one of the Maryland's most dangerous offensive performers and along with fellow forward Keaton Bathras, provides Severna Park perhaps the best 1-2 offensive punch in the state. The Falcons are also loaded and experienced in the back after last fall's trip to the Class 4A state semifinals.
Final 2016 Rank: Not Ranked
2016 Record: 10-5-1
River Hill made tremendous strides in 2016, after a tough start, and has eight starters back, led by an outstanding junior class. The key, however, could be dynamic goal-scorer Andrew Donkor, back with the Hawks, after playing Academy soccer last year.
Final 2016 Rank: #5
2016 Record: 16-2
The class of Howard County in each of the last two seasons and a finalist in Class 3A last fall, Mount Hebron is led by midfielders Trevor Namie and Sebastian Tobar. The Vikings have depth on the offensive end, but will need some new faces to acclimate quickly.
Final 2016 Rank: #1
2016 Record: 15-4-1
The reigning MIAA A Conference champions have graduated a ton of Division I talent, but the depth that vaulted the Cardinals to the top last fall, will keep the Cardinals among the area's elite programs. Sophomore defender Ben Bender will step into a leadership role and four-year starter Jake Saudek will anchor the team up top.
Final 2016 Rank: #19
2016 Record: 10-5-2
C. Milton Wright should be the top team in the UCBAC, with its experienced roster, led by Ryan Miller, who is entering his fourth year as the team's starting goalkeeper.
Final 2016 Rank: #12
2016 Record: 14-4
Always a premier program in Baltimore County, Eastern Tech returns 16 players and nine starters from a squad which reached the Class 2A State Semifinals. Led by seniors Kair Kressman (forward) and Andrew Holt (goalkeeper) a state title run is in order.
Final 2016 Rank: #9
2016 Record: 13-2-2
Meade surprised some in 2016 by besting traditional powers Severna Park and Broadneck for the Anne Arundel County Championship. The Mustangs lost some key talent to graduation, but some the squad's younger stars look ready to emerge for coach Michael Banach, who returns after one season away from the Meade sideline.
Final 2016 Rank: Not Ranked
2016 Record: 6-11
The Dons are coming off an uncharacteristic losing season, but their experience and talent level project a bounce back campaign in 2017. The gauntlet of power in the MIAA A Conference will not make things easy, but if veteran coach Lee Tschantret can mold a new back line, the Dons have the scoring punch to compete.
Final 2016 Rank: #16
*2016 Record: * 13-4
Catonsville has won the last two Baltimore County titles, but the Comets have not been able to parlay that success in the state playoffs. Mckenzie Ali is back to anchor the defense for new coach Brendan Kennedy.
Final 2016 Rank: #17
2016 Record: 13-4
Senior forward Nick Haskins and senior midfielder Alex Keppler return with plenty of offensive fire-power for an Eagles' team which closed 2016 with seven straight wins before losing by a goal to Mount Hebron in the Class 3A East Region playoffs.
Final 2016 Rank: #11
2016 Record: 19-4
With three consecutive league titles in hand, Severn is this dominant soccer program in the MIAA B Conference. Senior forward Devin McCarthy has been cog in all three titles and he returns to chase a fourth straight crown after scoring 14 goals and adding 11 assists in 2016.
Final 2016 Rank: Not Ranked
2016 Record: 10-4-2
It's hard to argue with experience and South River has tons of it with nine starters back, including top scorer Alden Sullivan and standout goalkeeper Kyle Berkowitz.
Final 2016 Rank: 20t
2016 Record: 10-5-1
After playing on a state championship squad as a freshman and emerging as a top goal scoring threat last fall, junior midfielder Juver Navarette is set to take the leadership reigns for a Perry Hall squad which always plays a top schedule and competes for Baltimore County championships.
Final 2016 Rank: 14
2016 Record: 9-7-4
Four starters back in the midfield and the proven team-building skills of head coach Jon Seal keep Gilman competitive in the MIAA A Conference, the area's premier high school soccer league. The Hounds will be young on defense with freshman Grant Farley in goal.
Final 2016 Rank: Not Ranked
2016 Record: 10-4-3
Ten seniors and six starters return for South Carroll team that went to the Class 2A West Region Championship Game last fall. Seniors Logan Baker and Stephen White and the keys to a potentially explosive midfield.
Final 2016 Rank: #10
2016 Record: 14-5
High-scoring senior forward Jake Kauffman and senior defender Jared Puglisi return for the Cougars, after helping the team reach the Class 2A state final where they suffered a heart-breaking 1-0 loss to the Middletown. Fallston should battle for the UCBAC title once again and be force come playoff time.
