GIRLS' SOCCER PREVIEW
From The Washington Post
By B.J. Koubaroulis

Senior forward Brook Chang (Cornell) and junior midfielder Danielle Corey combined for 10 goals while Brandy Lacoe (George Washington), Greer Drumm ond (James Madison) and Katie Vogel led the defense in defending Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champion O'Connell's first three wins, all shutouts. . . .

Good Counsel took 10 shots on goal in the first half of its 3-0 loss to St. John's (D.C.) last week, but the preseason loss of the Falcons' top defender, senior Ariana Cook (anterior cruciate ligament), proved to be too much to overcome. . . .

In five games this season, including three preseason scrimmages, St. John's (D.C.) has outscored opponents 14-1 with four shutouts. . . .

Senior forward Erica Suter returns for Maryland 3A champion River Hill, which went 20-0 last season and won its fifth title since the school opened 12 years ago. . . .

While junior forward Julia Roberts, a two-time all-state selection, will be the focal point of Urbana's offense, she'll have help from Pittsburgh-bound midfielder Katie Ruhe, who returns after sitting out last season with an injury. But the sixth-ranked Hawks are packed in a tough 3A West Region with No. 7 Bethesda-Chevy Chase and No. 8 Tuscarora, which has the program's all-time leading scorer back in senior forward Courtney Yee (39 goals, 17 assists). "Coming out of the region will be an extraordinary accomplishment, and that team should be the favorite to win it all," Tuscarora Coach Mark Walcott said. . . .

No. 10 Eleanor Roosevelt has eight starters back, including sophomore midfielder Briana Hovington and senior forward Amanda King, and 75 percent of its defense. But the defending Prince George's County and 4A South Region champion will look to fill a major void left by All-Met goalkeeper Wendy Balogun, who allowed just five goals last season and now plays for Maryland. . . .

Because of low enrollment, Carroll-- which was slated to play a full WCAC varsity schedule -- has forfeited all of its games and will field only a junior varsity team this season. "It was a combination of the numbers and the age of [the players]," Carroll Athletic Director George Leftwitch said. "This is not a forgiving league."