When it comes to girls high school sports in the Baltimore-area it is often McDonogh and everyone else. This has been especially true on the soccer pitch where the Eagles have won nine IAAM A Conference championships since 2010. In 2022, the Eagles are favored once again, but unlike most of the previous McDonogh powerhouses, not single senior is on the roster.

Without the senior leadership, most valued by high school coaches, McDonogh will rely on youthful talent as they try to outlast their IAAM A Conference rivals. The league has a total of five entries in our preseason poll.

Howard County powers Glenelg and Mount Hebron have also cracked our Top 5, at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, while two other Howard squads, Marriotts Ridge and River Hill, are also ranked.

Here is the complete Baltimore Banner/Varsity Sports Network Preseason Girls Soccer Top 15.

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1. MCDONOGH

2021 Record 16-2

Coach: Harry Canellakis

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 1

Players to watch: Gracie Salias, Jr., forward; Sabba Haghgoo, Jr., forward

Corner kick: Four-time defending Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference champs seeking 10th title since 2010 with young players taking on key roles.

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The 2022 McDonogh girls soccer team is younger than the one that won the school's ninth IAAM A Conference championship since 2010 (above), last fall, but possibly even better. They open 2022 as the No. 1 ranked team in the area.

2. ARCHBISHOP SPALDING

2021 Record: 11-5

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 6

Coach: Ashly Kennedy

Players to watch: Sophie Thibeault, Sr., midfield; Meghan Bernetti, Sr., defense

Corner kick: Only an overtime loss to McDonogh prevented the Cavaliers from earning their first IAAM A championship since 2016

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3. GLENELG

2021 Record: 15-2

Coach: Vincente D’Antuono

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 5

Players to watch: Stephanie Lathrop, Jr., forward/midfield; Bella Buscher, Jr., goal; Carlin Costell, Jr., defense; Kailey Kasbeer-Betty, Jr., defense

Corner kick: After graduating a slew of seniors, Gladiators boast only five players who logged significant minutes from last year’s squad. The good news is that four key juniors and fourth-year veteran Ginny Sung give the defending Class 2A state champions a strong core to withstand tough competition in Howard County.

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4. MOUNT HEBRON

2021 Record: 15-2

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 4

Coach: Tim Deppen

Players to watch: Sinclaire Green, Jr., forward; Olivia Hoover, Jr., midfield; Emily Canseven, Soph., goal

Corner kick: A talented youth movement continues to propel defending Class 3A champs forward.

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5. BROADNECK

2021 Record: 17-1-1

Coach: John Camm

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 2

Players to watch: Sadie Wilkinson, Sr., forward; Nevaeh Dowell, Sr., midfield; Maddie Capps, Jr., midfield

Corner kick: Bruins should be right back in the mix to contend for first 4A title since 2017.

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6. NOTRE DAME PREP

2021 Record: 7-4-2

Coach: Cynthia Walsh

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 10

Players to watch: Tricia Kohler, Jr., forward; Katelyn Glagola, Sr., goal; Natalie O’Brocki Sr., midfield; Mary Sommer, Sr., midfield

Corner kick: New coach Walsh and a core of experienced players ready to take on rigors of IAAM A Conference at her alma mater.

7. FALLSTON

2021 Record: 16-0-2

Coach: Jonathan Salbeck

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 3

Players to watch: Ava Lambros, Jr., midfield; Ellie Ajello, Sr., forward; Katherine King, Sr. midfield; Hannah Richard, Sr., defense

Corner kick: Underclassmen were a big part of Cougars’ 39-1 goal differential in last year’s Class 1A title run. With Salbeck taking over the stellar program from 2021 VSN Coach of the Year Maddison Ferrara, the new coach says that his players “are hungry and want to pick up from where they left off last year.”

8. MARRIOTTS RIDGE

2021 Record: 14-1-1

Coach: Dzimiri Kudzai

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 7

Players to watch: Jaya Shelat, Soph., forward/midfield; Giavana Liberto, Sr., forward

Corner kick: Frustrating loss to Mt. Hebron in last fall’s regional final will fuel Mustangs’ hopes for 2022 glory under new coach Dzimiri Kudzai.

9. MERCY

2021 Record: 7-6-3

Coach: Doug Pryor

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 11

Players to watch: Carly Hax, Soph., midfield; Sydney Feiler, Sr., midfield; Payton Schenning, Sr., midfield

Corner kick: Daunting schedule includes matches against a slew of highly-ranked opponents before the IAAM A Conference opener against No. 1 McDonogh in late September.

10. CENTURY

2021 record 11-3-1

Coach: Chris Little

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 20

Players to watch: Harli Hamlett, Jr., forward; Mia Graff, Sr., goal

Corner kick: Knights’ experience and chemistry will go a long way toward helping them navigate a daunting non-league schedule that includes several IAAM A Conference powers. Hamlett is looking to build on a spectacular rookie season while Graff and the defense look to lock down Carroll County foes.

11. PERRY HALL

2021 Record: 11-5

Coach: Matt Smoot

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 16

Players to watch: Kyleigh Gough, Sr., Midfield/Defense; Delaney Forrester, Sr., Goal; Kam Williams, Sr., Forward

Corner kick: A stout defense and Williams’ scoring prowess could combine to push Gators back on top in Baltimore County again.

12. SEVERNA PARK

2021 Record: 11-3

Coach: Rick Stimpson

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 8

Players to watch: Ava Schultz, Sr., midfield; Hannah Verrault, Sr., midfield;

Corner kick: Schultz and Verrault anchor Falcons’ Anne Arundel County title hopes.

13. RIVER HILL

2021 Record: 12-6

Coach: Brian Song

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 14

Players to watch: Allie Lubitz, Sr., midfield; Madison Berge, Soph., defense; Allie Billups, Sr., goal.

Corner kick: Hawks are always a threat in Howard County — and beyond — with an all-time 13-1 mark in state finals by virtue of Song’s ability to make key adjustments throughout the season.

14. HEREFORD

2021 Record: 13-5

Coach: Brad Duvall

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 15

Players to watch: Shari Atkins, Sr., Forward; Lauren Orner, Sr., midfield; Ainsley Yates, Sr. midfield; Shanti Atkins, Fr., forward

Corner kick: Atkins sisters should give the Bulls a dynamic double wallop up top while First-Team All-State performer Orner anchors the backline.

15. ST.PAUL’S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

2021 Record: 9-4

Coach: Joie Gill

Final VSN 2021 ranking: No. 9

Players to watch: Norah Heacock, Sr., Defense; Lauren Steer, Sr., Forward

Corner kick: With standouts Heacock in the back and Steer up top, the Gators boast great field balance.