PREP FIELD HOCKEY LEAGUE-BY-LEAGUE GLANCE

By: JOHN MAFFEI - Staff Writer | Thursday, September 21, 2006 12:19 AM PDT ∞

(In order of predicted finish:)

AVOCADO LEAGUE

1. San Pasqual

The defending CIF Division II champion Eagles have eight returning starters and a new coach ---- Liz Holtzman, who played collegiately at Ohio University ---- as they move up to Division I. Goalie Heather Hiddleston is among the best players in the county. Add Megan Pederson, Ursula Lopez-Palm, Sarah Brand, Katelin Peterson, Caitlin O'Brien, Nicole Draper, Tierra Graves and Monica Wing to the mix and the Eagles are loaded.

2. Fallbrook

The Warriors lost in the CIF Division I championship game last year and are good enough to get back to the title game this season. Goalie Lauren Woods is among the best players in the country and has already committed to the University of Pacific. Rachel Maxwell, Devin Holman and Kathleen Mellano also have star quality. Add Candice Koyman, Savannah Saunders, Emily Badillo, Liz Green, Amber Boman, Hillary Price and Whitney Worley to the mix and the Warriors will challenge San Pasqual.

3. Vista

The Panthers return 10 seniors and 14 of 18 players from last year's 10-win team. With Kristina Maldonado, Pamela Seufert, Alyssa Hobbs and goalie Michelle Coutrupe, coach Gail Petty expects her team to be in the thick of the league race.

4. Rancho Buena Vista

Coach Kaci Bronson has assembled a fast, quick, aggressive team - just the kind of opponent must teams fear. The kind of team that could jump a place or two in the standings. Junior center midfielder Eileen Seffron has the speed and experience to control the field. Center defender Chrissy Sheeaty is fast and aggressive. Midfielder Amanda Winninghoff and center forward Stefanie Wright give the team speed and experience.

5. San Dieguito Academy

In another league, the Mustangs would be competitive. And while talented, they appear to be in for a tough season in this league.Ý

PALOMAR LEAGUE

1. La Costa Canyon

The defending CIF San Diego Section Division I champions lost only three starters, so coach Kim Elmore has a lot to work with. In goalies Molly Cassidy and Haleh Norani, midfielder Lauren Greenwald, forward Lauren Lucido and defender Heather Alcorn, the Mavericks have no less than five star players.

2. Torrey Pines

The Falcons lost just two starters from a team that was 15-9-1 last season and lost in the CIF Division I semifinals. Goalie Christi Barwick has already committed to Michigan and defender Johnna Simoes has committed to Bucknell. Forward Katie Griswold and defender Megan Psyloss have several college offers on the table. Defender Rachel Belzer is back from a knee injury that cost her last season and Jane Mitchell has rejoined the team after concentrating on soccer last year.

3. Rancho Bernardo

The Broncos were a playoff team last season and coach Kate Rudkin said she will settle for nothing less than a return trip this season. Brittany Varga is the team's top scorer, defender/midfielder Hillary Mann is the captain. Whitney Campitillo will be in goal.

4. Westview

Former San Pasqual High and Michigan star Kelly Gannon has the Wolverines on the rise. Junior midfielder Amanda Ziegler is the team's top player along with sophomore midfielder Ellre Ancheta. Senior Kirsten Diannaris anchors the defense.

5. Poway

The Titans return 10 starters and in most leagues they might be a favorite. Not in this league, though. Sarah Divine, Sarah Schneider and Melissa Martin are the stars in the midfield. Lauren Carter and Jenny Nguyen are the forwards with Stephanie Morales, Brittany Schultz, Faith Johnson and Lindsay Short anchoring the defense. Elizabeth Donahue, a junior, is the goalie.

6. Mt. Carmel

The Sundevils have another new coach in Chris Orozco, who is an on-campus person. But after winning one game last year, the team has a long way to go to compete in a tough league.

VALLEY LEAGUE

1. Mission Hills

In a wide-open league, the Grizzlies get the nod because of three key players - high-scoring junior forward Lana Van, who had 13 goals last season, midfielder Colleen McMurtry and senior defender Brittany Hernandez.

2. San Marcos

The Knights are still rebuilding, but they have some athletes. Defender/midfielder Maxine Marshall is a three-year starter. Aimee Mathis is a softball player, but coach Johnathan St. John said she has a chance to be a star at forward. And soccer player Ana Villa Real gives the team some speed up front.

3. Valley Center

The Jaguars have never lost a game in the league's two years. And while they return seven players, the Jaguars suffered some major losses. The top returnees include Andre Garcia, Amanda Martin, Stacy Fishman, sophomore Emilee Stehly and goalie Allison Lovejoy. Paige Hreha, the team's JV coach last year, moves up to take control of the varsity.

4. Escondido

Coach Kelly Boden is still building the program, but the Cougars have a chance to move up in a league race that is wide open.

5. Orange Glen

Krystyna Zagorski is the third coach in three years at Orange Glen. The Patriots don't have enough players to field a JV team, so they're in a definite building process.