Top 4 are not even really debatable - other than the order they will finish in. After that, LB, St. Mary’s, and Severn could all finish 5-8. Look out for MSJ as a dark horse this year. They are better than people think.
Agree with the top 4. Lots of talent returns at each of those schools. We'll probably see some new faces at those schools like we usually do. In no particular order here is how I see the league.
Tier 1
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Calvert Hall will go as far as their attack takes them. The return of #3 quarterbacking the offense could help them back to the championship game. The other pieces at attack are top notch as well. Defense is stout and goaltending is top notch. The Cardinals have capable middies, but no one that jumps off the page. If their face off game improves, CHC will be a team to be reckoned with.
Boys' Latin returns enough talent to defend their title even without the kids in the dorms. Their graduating seniors were more impressive as a group than individually, so there is much work to be done to repeat. The attack will be top notch. Like other MIAA teams the goalie is great. The fogo that graduated was underrated from an athletic perspective, but the 2023 should step up nicely to fill that primary role. Defense will be the biggest question mark. The shorties are solid, and the midfield is capable of taking some pressure off the attack.
McDonogh returns a ton. The defense will anchor this team despite the high-profile names on the offensive side of the ball. Their poles are probably the most athletic in the league and the goalie can shut any team down on any given day. Look for 2 freshmen to supplement the junior and sophomore on attack. This will be a formidable group. Despite losing 2 big offensive pieces on the midfield, the Eagles get one back from injury and will have one of the better starting midfields in the league. The fogo is underrated if nothing else. Will it be enough?
Spalding is in the same position as BL. Enough back to make another run at the title if they can plug some holes. The offense loses 2 of its top scorers to graduation, the goalie graduates and arguably their better fogo. The midfield will be fantastic once again even without the transfer that never was. The attack is above average with two starters returning. Defensively, this team should be as good as the '21 version, but who steps up in cage is the big question mark. This is the year if Spalding is going to capture a title. This team is senior laden.
Tier 2
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St. Mary's probably does the most with under the radar kids, but they lost a ton on the defensive side of the ball and what little scoring they had to graduation. They have some replacement pieces on the defensive end, but the question is who will score. Fogo and goalie position should be solid, and attack will be serviceable, midfield is a question mark.
Loyola lost a ton of seniors who played significant minutes particularly on the offensive end of the field. They'll also need to fill a big holes in their defensive midfield and goalie positions. I can't see them being better than last year's team. Their 2022 class is thin on offensive talent, but they have some 2023s who can fill up the net. Defense will carry this team, they have some juniors who can score, but midfield will be thin on the offensive end.
Don't look past Gilman. They lose their #1 attackman and an excellent pole, but they return a lot of young offensive talent and arguably the best goalie in the league. A big question mark is how will this team perform under the new coach and system. There are some solid junior middies who should bolster an unremarkable attack group.
Severn will be a force to be reckoned with this spring. They return most of their key pieces. Like St. Mary's, they are solid at goalie and fogo. They have enough offensive talent to break into that top tier and make the playoffs. Defensively, this team may struggle, so possession will be important. Attack will be solid and the midfield adds a bit of scoring punch.
Tier 3
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St. Paul's has the most talent of this tier. Good goalkeeping, good fogo and a few pieces here and there. Just not enough depth to carry this team very far. Younger players will need to step up to carry this team further than last year's team.
John Carroll & Mt. St. Joe just don't have the depth or quality of players to get more than 2 or 3 wins at the most. Either team could pull an upset, but don't count on it.
