Last fall, the Baltimore area featured exceptional field hockey with four teams earning Top 20 status in MAX Field Hockey’s Mid-Atlantic Region final poll — Archbishop Spalding (No. 8), Severna Park (No. 9), Garrison Forest (No. 10) and Glenelg (No. 18).

All remain among the top contenders although Broadneck appears ready to crash their party.

Spalding, after winning the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championship, retains the top spot from Varsity Sports Network’s 2021 Top 15 as VSN begins its inaugural season providing high school sports coverage for The Baltimore Banner.

Now, let’s roll out the 2022 Baltimore Banner/Varsity Sports Network Preseason Field Hockey Top 15.

1. ARCHBISHOP SPALDING

2021 Record: 15-1

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 1

Coach: Leslee Brady

Players to watch: Ally Keith, Sr., midfield-forward; Skylar Gilman, Soph., forward; Jilly Lawn, Soph., midfield

Long hit: The defending Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference champions graduated 10 players, including five starters. Four now play Division I field hockey. Still, Brady, last fall’s VSN Coach of the Year, started a lot of youngsters and most others earned significant playing time. Goalie Ruby de Frees returns to back a defense that shut out 10 opponents and did not allow a goal in the playoffs. Keith will continue to be a spark in transition.

2. BROADNECK

2021 Record: 12-5

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 7

Coach: Shannon Hanratty

Players to watch: Maya Everett, Sr., midfield; Arden Hunteman, Sr., forward; Lexi Dupcak, Sr., midfield

Long hit: The Bruins lost four games to eventual champions last year. They fell twice to Class 4A champ Severna Park, including on a penalty stroke in the state quarterfinal, and once each to Class 3A champ Arundel and IAAM A Conference winner Archbishop Spalding. With nine starters back, the Bruins have the experience to flip all of those outcomes and give Severna Park a run for the Anne Arundel County championship.

3. GARRISON FOREST SCHOOL

2021 Record: 14-6

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 3

Coach: Mimi Smith

Players to watch: Alyssa Klebasko, Sr., goalie; Ella Kokinis, Sr., forward-midfield; Morgan Qualls, Jr., defense

Long hit: Smith, a former Team USA player, takes over a program that reached the IAAM A Conference title game last fall after winning the title in 2019. The Grizzlies have significant holes to fill after graduating midfielder Dani Mendez, VSN’s Player of the Year, and three starting field defenders, but more than half the team returns and all had significant playing time. Kokinis continues to give the Grizzlies a strong midfield spark and Klebasko is the area’s top goalie.

4. SEVERNA PARK

2021 Record: 17-2

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 2

Coach: Shannon Garden

Players to watch: Charlotte Kramer, Sr., goalie; Ava Drexler-Amey, Sr., midfield; Meredith Schepens, Sr., defense

Long hit: The Falcons extended their record for state crowns to 25 last season as Class 4A champs and they also captured the Anne Arundel County title. While most of their starters, including VSN Defensive Player of the Year Zoe Day, graduated, the Falcons should once again reload. Kramer didn’t always see much action last season with a stifling defense in front of her, but she likely will be a difference maker this fall.

5. GLENELG

2021 Record: 16-1

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 4

Coach: Christina Giampalmo

Players to watch: AJ Eyre, Jr., midfield; Brinkley Eyre, Soph., midfield; Sarah Walker, Soph., defense

Long hit: The Gladiators won the Howard County and Class 2A state championships last fall with a strong core of sophomore talent, including their top four scorers. Ten starters return although stellar midfielder Kamryn Henson opted not to return. With a defense that did not allow a goal in the playoffs, the Gladiators should be able to fill that void as Giampalmo takes over for Nikki Trunzo, who is on maternity leave.

6. RIVER HILL

2021 Record: 15-4

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 9

Coach: Shelly Chamness

Players to watch: Maddie Vasilios, Sr., midfield; Puja Nanjappa, Sr., midfield; Evelyn Dzubak, Sr., midfield

Long hit: Last fall’s Class 3A state finalists return just five starters, but they have plenty of young talent to fill in. Attack-minded Vasilios and defense-minded Nanjappa give the Hawks plenty of power and leadership in the middle while goalie Jocelyn Baker will start for the fourth season as the Hawks aim to dethrone Glenelg in the Howard County league.

7. MARRIOTTS RIDGE

2021 record: 11-5

Final VSN ranking: No. 12

Coach: Molly Milani

Players to watch: Natalie Freeman, Sr., midfield; Sophia Baxter, Sr., midfield-defense; Maisy Clevenger, Sr., forward

Long hit: The Mustangs finished third in Howard County behind Glenelg and River Hill last season, but they were the only team to beat the Gladiators. They have some rebuilding to do after graduating their entire defense including the goalie. Still, the Mustangs return a lot of strength and senior leadership in the midfield with Freeman and Baxter.

8. CROFTON

2021 Record: 9-4

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 16

Coach: Amy Skrickus

Players to watch: Kiley Corcoran, Jr., midfield; Ryleigh Osborne, Soph., goalie

Long hit: A new program last season, the Cardinals had no seniors, so they return everyone. They lost to eventual champion Arundel in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs despite 10 saves from Osborne, one of the area’s best goalies. Adding a few more talented youngsters to an already solid roster, the Cardinals could easily move up in Anne Arundel County.

9. HEREFORD

2021 Record: 14-3

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 10

Coach: Caitlin Duvall

Players to watch: Lydia Bennett, Sr., forward; Kennedy Ziegler, Jr., defender

Long hit: Class 2A state finalists last fall, the Bulls bring back seven starters. They have plenty of firepower in Bennett and junior Riley Hackett, the top two scorers, along with sophomore Caitlin Meeker. They also have two strong goalies, so they just need to keep their passing connections strong to contend for their 11th Baltimore County title in 13 years

10. BRYN MAWR

2021 Record: 13-4

Final VSN ranking: No. 6

Coach: Jeannette Budzik

Players to watch: Alex deJesus, Sr., goalie; Elaina Bellone, Sr., midfield-defense; Julia Powell, Sr., midfield-defense

Long hit: The Mawrtians return only a handful of starters, but they have a lot of young talent waiting to step in. It helps to return deJesus and her 88 percent save rate. She didn’t allow a goal through the first 11 games and was key to beating Maryvale in an IAAM A Conference quarterfinal shootout. Four-year players Bellone and Powell also bring stability.

11. MCDONOGH

2021 Record: 14-3

Final VSN ranking: No. 5

Coach: Courtney Rainey

Players to watch: Piper Borz, Sr., midfield; Stewart Allen, Sr., midfield; Natalie Little, Sr., defense

Long hit: The Eagles lost exceptionally dynamic athletes among the 14 who graduated from the third-place IAAM A Conference team. New coach Rainey returns just eight veterans, but they have strength in the midfield led by Borz, an All-Conference selection headed for Northwestern. Junior forward-midfielder Jaden Dahan leads a promising cast of young players.

12. NOTRE DAME PREP

2021 Record: 5-8-2

Final VSN ranking: Not ranked

Coach: Katrina Ross

Players to watch: Kerigan Ross, Jr., goalie; Sienna Klein, Jr., midfield-forward; Kaitlyn Cody, Jr., defense

Long hit: After winning IAAM A Conference titles in 2017 and 2018, the Blazers hit a few lean years. They ended up in a regular-season tie for fifth place last fall. Now, they appear ready to bounce back. Although still young, they return about half of their starters, have a lot of strength in the junior class and added a few freshmen who could make an immediate impact.

13. DULANEY

2021 Record: 11-5

Final VSN ranking: No. 11

Coach: Meredith Lott

Players to watch: Ava Winner, Sr., forward-midfield; Olivia Anderson, Sr., defense; Addie Erdman, Sr., goalie

Long hit: The Lions will be rebuilding after graduating half of their starters, but they have a solid core of strong seniors. Winner will be the glue in the middle and it helps to have veterans returning on defense and in the goal. Plenty of skilled youngsters are ready to step in, so the only question is how well and how quickly they mesh.

14. WESTMINSTER

2021 Record: 6-5

Final VSN ranking: Not ranked

Coach: Laurie Naill

Players to watch: Jessica Kent, Sr., forward; Miranda Moshang, Sr., defense

Long hit: One coach said every team in Carroll County is a contender this fall, but the Owls may have an edge based on their experience. They bring back eight strong seniors in a year when every team in the county was hit hard by graduation. Kent was one of the top scorers in the county last season with 19 goals and four assists.

15. ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

2021 Record: 12-5

Final VSN ranking: No. 14

Coach: Candice Fisher

Players to Watch: Sarah Mudd, Jr., forward; Megan Frank, Jr., midfield; Charlotte Lorden, Sr., midfield

Long hit: After winning the IAAM B Conference championship last fall, the Gators move to the IAAM A Conference. They were competitive against most of the A Conference teams they played last season and return a solid core of seven players. The Gators are young, but have a lot of potential to compete in a large, tough conference.