After losing their first five games of last season, Havre de Grace went on an improbable run to win the school’s first Class 1A state title under the guidance of first-year coach Lea Cataggio.
“It’s not me, I just had to make them believe,” Cataggio said at the time. “A win is a win. It doesn’t matter if it’s ugly or not. And it really was personal. [Perryville] beat us in the season and I believe we were a better team then. Today, we proved it. We’re No. 1 in the state.”
The Warriors lost their star goalkeeper Cassidy Howes to graduation but return much of their starting lineup. That includes junior Sophie Molyneux, who netted the championship’s decisive goal. Their chase to repeat begins with a season-opening match against Perryville, the team they beat for the state crown in November.
Here’s a look around the area. (Editor’s note: not all teams responded to requests for information):
Aberdeen
Coach: Ali Cataggio, first year
Last year: 3-11-1, regional semifinalist
Top returners: Senior Sasha Pazoki (F); juniors Grace Buxton (M) and Ellie Beinkampen (D).
Newcomers to watch: N/A
Coach’s outlook: “I am excited to see how we grow as a team on and off the field. Growth is our biggest goal this year, I am hoping that the growth we see these young women will stick with them even after the season.”
Bel Air
Coach: Mike Friskey, fifth season
Last year: 9-4-2, state quarterfinalist
Top returners: Senior Ally Mace (F/M), Alex Busick (M), Dulaney Burrows (M), Ali Reynolds (D) and Sarah Ravadge (D); juniors Alyssa Foote (M) and Ava Tischler (D); sophomores Addison Bullinger (M) and Audrey Lucas (D/M).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Emerson Schiller (GK), junior Anna Tackett (GK) and freshman Savannah Barry (F).
Coach’s outlook: “We have a solid mix of girls but are replacing 10 seniors that were contributors to last year’s team. Early season should be a mix of building and growth as the team looks to maximize its strong potential.”
C. Milton Wright’s Mackenzi Milich goes over Sparrows Point’s Ami Walters to play the ball with her head during a Class 2A state semifinal girls soccer game at Bel Air High School on Friday, November 10, 2023.
C. Milton Wright
Coach: Andrew Harrell, fifth season
Last year: 10-4-2, state semifinalist
Top returners: Seniors Delainey Proctor (M) and Ava Lewis (D); junior Mackenzi Milich (D).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Emma Jankowiak (F), junior Sophia Hodges (D) and sophomore Blake Elliott (F).
Coach’s outlook: “Earning a trip to the state semifinals last year was a great experience for our program. We’re looking to build upon that experience, utilize some of our athleticism and returning leadership to never take anything for granted. Every practice and every game is an opportunity to get better and this group takes pride in the hard work needed to be successful.”
Fallston
Coach: Jon Salbeck, third season
Last year: 9-4-0, regional quarterfinalist
Top returners: Seniors Sarah Farally (CM) and Addison Rees (D).
Newcomers to watch: N/A
Coach’s outlook: “The team’s biggest strength this year is the leadership. We are returning 17 players from the 2023 season including 11 starters. The senior’s motto this season is “Redefine Your Limits.” This team is very talented. I believe any team can beat another team within the private or public school leagues at any given day. The level of talent that Maryland high school teams bring into the fold each year is incredible. I am going to stress to the girls to take one game at a time and to not look ahead to any other team/game other than our next opponent.”
Fallston’s Sarah Farally returns after being named The Aegis Player of the Year in 2023. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Harford Tech
Coach: Matt Berg, 20th season
Last year: 3-6-3
Top returners: Seniors Faith Orsini (GK), Emily Swenson (GK), Katie Mang (D), Mari Sanchez (D), Ava Patino (D), Allison Putkisto (D), Nina Humpf (D) and Delaney Klaus (D); Caroline Korczak (A), Danielle Korczak (A) and Mia Mickle (A); juniors Ashley Shelton (M) and Ryleigh Moore (M).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Caroline Hendricks (M), Kiera Hill (M), Lauryn Meisel (M), Riley Mullenax (M) and Janelle Reyes (M); freshmen Abby Downes (M) and Brooke Pollack (M).
Coach’s outlook: “We have 11 seniors, but also have a lot of youth. If we can get going on all cylinders, we should contend with anyone. So far, the seniors are proving to be great leaders and the players have impressed with their approach to training and practices, which will be key moving forward throughout the season.”
Lila Vincenti was a key player for last year’s Havre de Grace state championship team. (Steve Ruark/for Baltimore Sun Media)
Havre de Grace
Coach: Lea Cataggio, second season
Last year: Class 1A state champions
Top returners: Senior Madeline Yost (DM) and Lila Vincenti (F); junior Sophie Molyneux (CM), Jules Baker (D) and Sarah Weitzel (D).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Addy Osborne (D) and freshman Jocelyn Baker (M).
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John Carroll
Coach: Hayley Howe, 11th season
Last year: 10-6-3
Top returners: Seniors Mylana Stevens (F/M) and Addy Carter (M); juniors Ava Porrovicchio (M), Cali Friedel (M), Emma Fuchs (M) and Pieper McCue (F); sophomores Clara Madore (M), Olivia D’Alessandro (M) and Bella Ottone (F).
Newcomers to watch: Ella Jantz (D).
Coach’s outlook: “Since we are returning 20 players from last year’s team, we’re able to easily pick up where we left off. This group will continue to fine tune our team chemistry on the field and raise our level of play from last season.”
North Harford
Coach: Aidan Riordon, second season
Last year: 3-8-1, regional finalist
Top returners: Senior Sydney Stoneback (M); juniors Savannah Picha (GK) and Zoe Shum (D).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Gabby Stuchinski (D), sophomore Ella Morgan (F) and freshman Lucy Barndt (M).
Coach’s outlook: “We have an extremely tough schedule this year with the usual challenging county games, but then also Perry Hall and Hereford, who are always some of the strongest teams in Baltimore County. We are still a young team this year trying to learn and implement our style of play, but most importantly, we need to create more scoring opportunities this year to be successful. Most of our goals against last year came from set pieces, so we need to do a better job of avoiding fouls near our goal and defending corners. If we can do that and score two to three goals a game, then I see us finishing with an above .500 winning percentage.”
Perryville
Coach: Chris Tome, first season
Last year: 13-4, state finalist
Top returners: Seniors Mackenzie Lynch (CB), Macy Forrest (S), Justina Radcliff (CB) and Sarah Cantrell (GK); sophomores Sadie Tome (CM) and Carsyn Hulbert (CM).
Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Ashlyn Anderson (M) and Charlotte Simpers (M).
Coach’s outlook: “I am excited at the potential after working with the girls for the past couple of weeks. The team as a whole has worked hard in the offseason to become very technically proficient. We will be able to play an attractive brand of soccer. That, joined with having personnel that are clinical finishers, should bring positive results. I feel that we will be competitive in all of our matches this season.”
Abbie Wysong returns as a top defender for Patterson Mill. (Colin Murphy/Freelance)
Patterson Mill
Coach: Mike Parker, 17th season
Last year: 6-8, regional finalist
Top returners: Seniors Abbie Wysong (D) and Jalynn Mayfield-Rice (D).
Newcomers to watch: N/A
Coach’s outlook: “Harford County always has a very competitive schedule for girls soccer. We are looking forward to being in the mix for one of the top teams.”
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