ECC

East Lyme

Coach: Amy Lloyd (10th year).

Key returnees: Jr. M/F Cara Bradley, Sr. F Kailey MarcAurele, Sr. D Ashley Carsillo.

Top newcomers: Jr. M Sarah Rudker, Jr. F Sara Shukis, Jr. F Lauren Abbey, Jr. D Kristen Foster, Jr. D Kaihley Rafferty, Jr. M Hannah LeBeau, Jr. M Audrey Hebbel, Jr. F Amelia Selmeski, Jr. F Lizzy Harris, Sr. M/F Lianne Duong, Sr. D/M Gwen Connolly, Sr. F Bridget Hughes, Sr. D Annie Fritz, Sr. M Chloe Williams, Sr. D Olivia Marshall, So. GK Alex Rose, So. GK/D Sierra McCaffery.

Outlook: The Vikings, 10-5-2 a year ago, must replace eight starters, but they do return their leading scorer in Bradley, an ECC all-star, and MarcAurele, a three-year starter who was second on the team in assists. Lloyd will rely on those two to create offensive chances while some of the newcomers gain experience. Despite the inexperience, Lloyd still believes East Lyme will have another successful season.

Fitch/Ledyard

Coach: Diane Kolnaski (4th year).

Key returnees: Sr. F Evelene Cook, Sr. D Maggie Adams, Sr. M Shelby Larubina.

Outlook: The Falcons, 5-9-2 a year ago, are now part of a cooperative program with Ledyard, so there will be a learning curve as new players from both schools master the sport. Kolnaski will rely on captains Adams and Larubina to provide leadership and build chemistry on and off the field. "As a team, our goal is to improve our time of possession in the midfield and to be aggressive on attack once in the circle," Kolnaski said.

Stonington

Coach: Jenna Tucchio (11th year).

Key returnees: Sr. F Molly Crowley, Sr. F Casey Williams, Sr. F Meagan Dreher, Sr. M Jenny Sieczkiewicz, Sr. D Margot Calmar.

Top newcomers: So. F Leslie Spencer, Jr. M Abby Blanchard, Jr. M Haley Duba, So. M Lauren Turner, Sr. D Julie Fabrykiewicz, Sr. D Gina Feliciano, Sr. D Maeve Manfredi, Sr. D Christine McNeil, Jr. D Brooke Arruda, So. D Emma Miller, So. GK Cameron Dreher.

Outlook: Stonington (18-2 overall, 13-1 ECC) graduated eight starters from last year's Class S state championship team, including all-time leading scorer Elizabeth Morrison. The Bears do return The Day's All-Area Player of the Year in Crowley, who scored 22 goals, and the championship game MVP in Calmar (also a member of the state championship lacrosse team this spring) to make things easier. "We will rely on the continued experience of the forward line and speed and athleticism in goal," Tucchio said. The Bears have won 22 of the last 23 ECC titles. Sophomore Cameron Dreher takes over in goal for the graduated Annie Knizeski.

Waterford

Coach: Traci Bliven Susi (9th year).

Key returnees: Sr. D Kimberlee Grohocki, Sr. GK Jodi Weiss, Sr. D Emily Dowds, Sr. F-M Tegan Ward, Sr. F Sarah Riemann, Jr. F-M Alexis Spinnato, Jr. F Lizzie Dowds.

Top newcomers: So. F-M Sarah Verity, So. D Annie Hodge.

Outlook: The Lancers return only three starters from last year's team which was 7-7-3 and qualified for the Class S state tournament, graduating a pair of All-ECC midfielders in Bri Sotiropoulos (first team) and Julia Peay (honorable mention). Weiss returns in goal and will serve as captain along with Grohocki and Emily Dowds. "We are now trying to fill these holes in our young lineup with sophomore and junior players who lack the experience, but not the desire to win," Susi said.

Others

Williams

Coach: Eliza Smith (4th year).

Key returnees: Sr. F Schyler Davis, Sr. M Ali Diouk, So. GK Sydney Olstein.

Top newcomers: Fr. M/F Shepherd Caruso, Fr. M Claudia Pagnozzi-Schwam, Grade 8 D Emily O'Brien.

Outlook: The Blues are young and begin their season with four straight road games, so Smith will have to be patient as her team gains experience. Creating a strong transition game and winning 50-50 balls all over the field are areas that will keep Williams competitive in most games.