Welcome to Varsity Sports Network’s 2010 preseason Top 20 boys’ soccer poll. VSN ranks the top teams in the Baltimore region which covers public and private schools in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Harford County and Howard County.
1. Mount St. Joseph (14-3-3 last season)
Player to watch: Jalen Robinson, Jr., Defender
Corner kick: Defending MIAA A champ Gaels have six starters back led by national U-17 performer Robinson and several newcomers from Gaels’ championship JV.
2. McDonogh School (20-3)
Player to watch: Michael Gamble, Jr., Striker
Corner kick: Eagles again have stockpile of elite talent with transfers Gamble and Malcolm Harris, and 2008 leading scorer Julian Griggs back with team.
3. Broadneck (14-3-1)
Player to watch: Cody Neidermeier, Jr., Goalie
Corner kick: Nineteen returning letter winners including second team all-state goalie Neidermeier and top scorer Josh Schwartz have Bruins thinking about state Class 4A finals trip.
4. Perry Hall (10-4)
Player to watch: Joe Glos, Sr., Midfielder
Corner kick: Senior nucleus of Glos, Kevin Medrano and Nick Liberto look to get Gators to Class 4A state title game.
5. Gilman School (12-7-2)
Player to watch: Andrew Harris, Jr., Goalie
Corner kick: Greyhounds have veteran pieces in place for a charge at MIAA A championship.
6. Hereford (12-3-1)
Player to watch: Stephen Vicchio, Sr., Back
Corner kick: Bulls look to return to Class 3A state championship game with six returning starters.
7. Marriotts Ridge (18-2)
Player to watch: Patrick Sullivan, Sr., Midfielder
Corner kick: Mustangs were hit hard by graduation but Sullivan and solid cast of reserves are ready to defend Class 2A state crown.
8. Century (14-4)
Player to watch: Dan Virbickis, Sr.,
Corner kick: Knights bring back seven starters from squad that made surprise run to Class 2A state semifinals last season.
9. Loyola Blakefield (7-6-3)
Player to watch: Elliott Andelman, Sr., Back
Corner kick: With seven returning starters, Dons could be the darkhorse in the MIAA A title chase.
10. River Hill (11-3-1)
Player to watch: Nick Boyton, Jr., Goalie
Corner kick: Hawks look to regain Howard County crown behind solid midfield/forward corps.
11. Loch Raven (15-4-1)
Player to watch: Seth Moses, Sr., Midfielder
Corner kick: Moses, one of the area’s elite, headlines seven returning starters for Class 1A state champions.
12. Atholton (10-6)
Player to watch: Derek Chan, Jr., Midfielder
Corner kick: After falling up short in PKs in state 3A semifinals, Raiders look to breakthrough in 2010 with seven returning starters.
13. Fallston (17-2-1)
Player to watch: Matt Hamilton, Sr., Forward
Corner kick: Cougars should be again head of the class in the UCBAC.
14. Dulaney (11-5-1)
Player to watch: David Wylie, Sr., Forward
Corner kick: Nine starters back for Lions, looking to challenge Perry Hall in Baltimore County.
15. Severna Park (14-3)
Player to watch: Genaya Meharg, Sr., Midfielder/Forward
Corner kick: Falcons seek another shot at Anne Arundel County and District V title.
16. Archbishop Curley (7-11-4)
Player to watch: Ricky Greensfelder, Jr., Midfielder
Corner kick: Young and talented, Friars could be dangerous come MIAA A tourney time.
17. Eastern Tech (7-9-1)
Player to watch: Zach Egner, Sr., Striker
Corner kick: Nine returning starters should put Mavericks back among the elite in Baltimore County.
18. Calvert Hall College (10-6)
Player to watch: Zach Wenger, Sr., Defender
Corner kick: Led by UMBC commit Wenger, Cardinals will have their say in the MIAA A race.
19. Arundel (10-6)
Player to watch: Mike Kovach, Sr., Forward
Corner kick: Kovach and Corbin McCarron, both all-state picks last season, will lead Wildcats in Anne Arundel County chase.
20. Liberty (12-3)
Player to watch: Quinn Khori, Sr., Midfielder
Corner kick: Lions set to pose challenge to Century in Carroll County.
