Capsules

Ballard Beavers

Coach - Gary Hunter, second year.

1997 record - 8-5 in league, first in Metro B Division.

Returning starters - F Sarah Kraybill, sr.; F Lindsey Jones, jr.; M Ashley Thompson, sr.; M Jessica Bowden, jr.; M Kirsten Wilson, jr; D Amy Yokomona, sr.; D Carly Pye, jr.; GK Emma Edwards, jr.

Impact newcomers - F Lilly Hereford, so.; M Rosie Dixon, so.; M Cindy Burnett, so.; M Ellie Lord, so.; D Haley Divires, jr.

Outlook - The Beavers have a core group of returning players, something they lacked last year when they won the division. They'll need the experience this year, when they have to face teams like Lakeside and Blanchet twice, but Hunter said he is excited by the challenge. Thompson, Ballard's playmaker and best scoring threat, does a little bit of everything. If Ballard competes with other A Division teams, it will be a major victory for Metro public schools in a sport typically dominated by the privates.

Blanchet Braves

Coach - Ryan Pack, first year.

1997 record - 9-3-1 in league, reached Metro semifinals.

Returning starters - F Katie O'Brien, jr.; F Melissa Dempsey-Hall, so.; M Danielle Jones, sr.; M Bit Burke, sr.; M Anne Berbarian, jr.; M Carlie Jefferson Dow, jr.; D Nicole Mizuha, sr.; D Emilie Goeltz, sr.; D Rachel Faires, jr.; GKs Beth Mullin and Libby Bassett, jr.

Impact newcomers - F Theresa Thorkildsen, sr.; F Colleen Ebert, jr.; F Britt Hesse, so.; F Andrea Simmons, so.; F Paula Steinhouser, fr.; M Molly Schultz, sr.; M Nalani Kaheko, fr.; M Kim Tessier, so.; D Lauren Lauritzen, so.; D Bri Bassich, fr.; D Leah Foltz, so.

Outlook - Pack, a five-year assistant coach at Blanchet, takes over a group he calls "the most gifted group we've had since I've been here." The Braves didn't reach the state playoffs or the Metro finals last year, though, so their greatest challenge could involve mental preparation. They must also adjust to having Pack, a young assistant in previous years, as the head coach who instills discipline.

Chief Sealth Seahawks

Coach - Ron Johnson, first year.

1997 record - 1-12 in league, fifth in Metro B Division.

Returning starters - F Joy Palmer, sr.; F Sarah Postal, jr.; M Christina Diaz, jr.; M Sarah Pitzen, jr.; M Amanda Hagar, jr.; M Alla Zadorozhny, so.; M Kimberly Chan, so.; D Tami Muratalla, jr.; D Catherine Mendoza, jr.; D Anina Rikni, jr.; D Emily Robey, so.; D Wendy Elizalde, so.

Impact newcomers - F Marisol Mendoza, jr.; M Terah Wicker, so.

Outlook - The Seahawks broke a 30-game losing streak last year with a victory over Ingraham and scored twice as many goals - two - as in the previous year. Johnson teaches as much as coaches, and with a roster that hasn't had enough soccer experience to compete with most Metro League teams, Sealth's players will be more concerned with improving than with escaping the league cellar.

Eastside Catholic Crusaders

Coach - Jaimy McLaughlin, second year.

1997 record - 4-8-1 in league, 7-8-2 overall fifth in Metro A Division.

Returning starters - F Jennifer Walsh, sr.; M Mackenzie Dahl, jr.; M Alison Paine, jr.; M Jamie Palermo, so.; D Jenny Abbott, sr.; D Erin Reynolds, sr.; D Bethann Gurrad, sr.; D Stephanie Lanzer, so.

Impact newcomers - F Katie Curran, so. (moved from Colorado); GK Katie Lowey, fr.; D Kelsey Sullivan, fr.

Outlook - Inexperience often spells trouble, but the young Crusaders might enjoy more success this season than last. Although several underclassmen will play, they are club-soccer players, of which Eastside Catholic had few last year. The Crusaders also drop into Metro's B Division, giving them two games apiece against the league's weaker teams and only one against tougher competition. EC should be a defensive-minded team, though scoring might be a problem.

Nathan Hale Raiders

Coach - Sarah Smith, second year.

1997 record - 5-8 in league, tied for second in Metro B Division.

Returning starters - M Holly Brooks, jr.; M Lacey Evans, jr.; M Shannon Seidel, so.; D Mandi Schafer, sr.; D Cori Hill, jr.; GK Kelly Nigh, jr.

Impact newcomers - D Sequoyia Gordon, so.; M Alison Ewen, so.

Outlook - A deep junior class, anchored by Nigh, should keep the Raiders competitive in the division. Hale has several players back from a team that approached .500 last season. Besides Nigh's goalkeeping, they have experience on defense and in the midfield, but they need an improved attack.

Holy Names Cougars

Coach - Julie Raney, fourth year.

1997 record - 6-6-1 in league, 7-8-1 overall, reached Metro semifinals.

Returning starters - F Heidi Safadago, jr.; M Jennifer Bosa, jr.; M Kristine Heggelund, so.; D Kim Gateley, sr.; D Stacy Gallagher, sr.; GKs Melissa Brown, sr., and Courtney Caughey, jr.

Impact newcomers - D/M Julie Bosa, fr.; D/M Alex Mueller, fr.; D Alex Rombaugh, fr.

Outlook - Holy Names, which lost seven seniors, has a young, talented roster. Regional Olympic Development Program player Jennifer Bosa leads a strong midfield. Two experienced goalkeepers return, including Caughey, a national gold medalist in tae kwon do.

Lakeside Lions

Coach - Chuck McChesney, third year.

1997 record - 13-0 in league, 20-1 overall, Metro champions, reached state finals.

Returning starters - M Nancy Mikacenic, sr.; F Jenny Skinner, sr.; M Bryce Weed, sr.; M Kristen Kindsvogel, sr.; M Lisi Jensen, sr. (out 1-3 weeks with knee injury); D Alison Alkire, jr.; D Kelly Moss, sr. (will miss season with knee injury); D Amy Albro, sr.; D Kathleen Ferguson, jr.

Impact newcomers - F Gena Kerr, sr.; F Eve Russell, so.; D Madeleine Alkire, fr.; M Dawn Lippert, fr.; GK Alison Myers, fr.

Outlook - The Lions are the Metro's clear favorite, coming off their third straight appearance in the state final. After winning it all in 1995 and '96, they lost in the championship last season, their first loss in 49 games. Last year's under-17 national-team captain, Nancy Mikacenic, heads a deep, skilled corps of returners, and three highly touted freshmen join the mix. If they can improve their finishing - they have tied their first two nonconference games, averaging one goal per game - the Lions should win the league title without a problem.

Seattle Prep Panthers

Coach - Andy Hendricks, eighth year.

1997 record - 10-2-1 in league, 14-4-1 overall, second in Metro League, lost in state quarterfinals to eventual state champion Mount Vernon.

Returning starters - F Marissa Brooks, jr.; M/D Meaghan O'Leary, jr; M/D Becky Clinton, sr.; M Laura Fanning, so.; D Kai Corby, so.

Impact newcomers - F Sam Kneeland, so.; M Lexi de Turenne, fr.; D/M Jessica Rogers, so.; D Mary Kate Whitford, jr.; GK Claire Zabriskie, fr.

Outlook - Despite heavy graduation losses, this is not a rebuilding year for the Panthers, who still have all-Metro selection Brooks and several other skilled players. Hendricks thinks Zabriskie will fill in well for departed keeper Amy Magnano. There's plenty of ability, and most of the Panthers have played club soccer, so if they adjust well to the more physical style of high-school soccer, they could contend for a state-playoff spot.

West Seattle Indians

Coach - Paul Weisz, second year.

1997 record - 5-8 in league, tied for second in Metro B Division.

Returning starters - F Linda Vu, so.; M Anna Coronado, sr.; M Carissa Orton, jr.; M Cindy Hamar, so.; M Tammie Oreiro, jr.; M/D Jessica Dunbar, sr.; D D'Laina Boynton, jr.; GK Keri Brakebill, jr. (started at D last year).

Impact newcomers - D Chelsea Fuda, so.; M Dana Poythress, fr.; F Michelle Bounds, fr.

Outlook - The Indians might challenge for the division title - if they were a little bit taller. Could be in trouble when it plays bigger, more physical teams, but West Seattle's skill level is good for a public-school team. Weisz is excited about his depth in the midfield, and though young, the Indians could compete with Eastside Catholic and Nathan Hale if they develop throughout the season.

Metro League girls soccer forecast

Metro League girls soccer forecast, based on input from league coaches:

A DIVISION .

1. Lakeside .

2. Blanchet .

3. Seattle Prep .

4. Holy Names .

5. Ballard .

B DIVISION

1. Eastside Catholic .

2. Nathan Hale .

3. West Seattle .

4. Chief Sealth .

Note: Rainier Beach and Cleveland will not field girls soccer teams this year. Ingraham's team will practice, but because of low turnout, will not compete in games.