Fallston is historically one of Maryland’s best field hockey programs with a third-best 14 state titles, but the Cougars, who fell in the state semifinals last season, haven’t been able to get over the hump in recent years. Can they return to the top in 2025?

This year’s group could be one of coach Jackie Cummings’ best teams yet. It’s headlined by junior Layla King, a mainstay on the USA Field Hockey circuit, and Ava Lowicki, a transfer from reigning Class 1A state champion Pocomoke — the team that’s beaten Fallston in each of the last three postseasons.

Bel Air, C. Milton Wright and North Harford will be the top county challengers to the Cougars, area coaches surveyed by The Aegis said.

This will also be the first field hockey season of the new-look Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference, shifting away from upper and lower divisions teams could fluctuate between year to year in favor of three set divisions of five teams each with a conference championship game.

Here’s what to watch for this season in Harford County field hockey. (Editor’s note: not all teams responded to requests for information.)

Aberdeen

Coach: Emily Pecora, third season

Last season: 3-8

Top returners: Seniors Sarah Boone (D) and Lilyanna Rodriguez (GK); junior Alexis Gasiorowski (M).

Newcomers to watch: Seniors Charell Dixon (D) and Trinity Heggie (M); freshman Elizabeth Lufburrow (D).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “Newcomers to mesh well.” — Pecora

Bel Air

Coach: Megan Lukasavage, 11th season

Last season: 10-3, region finalists

Top returners: Seniors Annie Donahue (D), Avery Frank (F) and Amelia Mason (M).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Alexis Carlen (F); sophomores Ariana Shulze (GK) and Annabelle Shylanski (M).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “For our team to be successful this year, we need consistent effort and strong communication which we are seeing daily at practice. The players are working hard to put themselves in a position to succeed.” — Lukasavage

C. Milton Wright

Coach: Kelsey Lovelace, seventh season

Last season: 6-6-1

Top returners: Juniors Reese Rizzi (F); sophomores Autumn Rutkowski (D) and Tressa Will (M).

Newcomers to watch: Senior Alexa Faber (M); junior Ellie Haynes (F); sophomore Grace Womack (M).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “Our heavy senior class will be leaned on for their leadership and experience while our underclassmen will add depth. Making sure everyone is working toward the same common goal each day at practice will be important to our success and building trust in our teammates.” — Lovelace

Edgewood

Coach: Adriana Pizzadili, second season

Last season: 0-10

Top returners: Seniors Michaela Blackburn (M) and Pyper Crothers (M).

Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Clara Daughaday (D) and Sophia Jonczak (GK).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “We are a young team with players just learning the sport for the first time. Our emphasis is on building defensive skills to be able to hang with more competitive teams.” — Pizzadili

Fallston

Coach: Jackie Cummings, eighth season

Last season: 8-3-1, state semifinalists

Top returners: Seniors Auggie McCarthy (GK) and Olivia Parker (M); junior Layla King (M).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Ava Lowicki (D); sophomores Ava Moffett (F) and Delilah Rinehart (D).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “When our team plays together and plays to their level of play, they will be competitive, but sometimes they don’t play their game.” — Cummings

Harford Tech

Coach: Ellie Philben, first season

Last season: 4-8

Top returners: Senior Sadie Atkinson (F); juniors Samantha Golly (M) and Kaitlyn Lepito (GK).

Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Emily Thomas (F) and Alison Wingate (M)

What must happen for your team to succeed? “Tech is looking forward to rebuilding and rebranding our program for the upcoming season. With eight seniors graduating last season, the junior class has shown a drive to step up and are looking to carry that motivation into the season.” — Philben

John Carroll

Coach: Amy Plotts, first season

Last season: 10-5-1, IAAM B Conference finalists

Top returners: Seniors Josie Bianco (GK) and Leak Foltyn (M); junior Kamryn Plotts (M).

Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Sarah Muneses (D); freshmen Molly Laverick (M) and Hillary Smith (F).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “We need alignment and consistency in coaching and strategy, especially after a lot of coaching changes over the last few years. This team has been through a lot of change, so we’re focused on rebuilding team culture and creating trust on and off the field. On the field, we’re hoping for our midfield to build strong connections from the backfield to the front line and to aggressively crash the goal. By emphasizing communication, accountability, and confidence, we can overcome mental hurdles and maximize our team’s potential.” — Plotts

North Harford

Coach: Kellie Fialcowitz, second season

Last season: 4-10

Top returners: Seniors Lola Minor (A) and Caroline Ward (D); sophomore Olivia Daly (A).

Newcomers to watch: Sophomore London Beall (A); freshman Kassidy Bowling (D).

What must happen for your team to succeed? “With five returning seniors and six returning starters, we have a strong core group of players. Adding new players to the mix will require us to learn to play together and trust each other.” — Fialcowitz

Patterson Mill

Coach: Rachel Hall, first season

Last season: 7-6

Top returners: Seniors Sam Chittum (F), Josie Smith (GK) and Ava Ward (D).

Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Lillian Schopf (M); freshman Preya Mirabile (M).

Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons.