SOCCER

Top Teams

Anne Remy and UNC were upset in the '98 final. Bob Rosato

1. NORTH CAROLINA
The memory of the Tar Heels' only 1998 defeat, a 1-0 loss to Florida in the national title game, should fade as coach Anson Dorrance's squad claims its 15th NCAA title. Defender Lorrie Fair, a member of the U.S. national team in the '99 World Cup, will anchor a defense that was the nation's second best last year (seven goals allowed), and forward Susan Bush, the nation's top high school recruit, will join an offense that churned out 98 goals in 26 games.

2. SANTA CLARA
Look for the Broncos to make their seventh national semifinals appearance with one of the nation's deepest rosters; only one starter from last year's 22-1-1 squad graduated. Crystal Gordon (0.16 goals-against average in 22 games) will patrol the box, while senior strikers Mandy Clemens and Jacqui Little, who have combined for 85 goals and 71 assists in three seasons, attack the goal.

3. NOTRE DAME
Leading scorer Jenny Heft (28 goals, five assists) and top playmaker and Finnish national team star Anne Makinen (15 goals, 17 assists) are just two of the nine returning starters for the Irish. The offense, which led the nation with 99 goals in 25 games in '98, will be backed up by All-America goalie LaKeysia Beene (13 shutouts).

4. PORTLAND
"It's the best freshman class I've ever had," coach Clive Charles says of his nine new recruits. With all six starting seniors gone, including the Pilots' top scorer, juniors Vanessa Talbott and Kylee Barton must school their less-experienced underclassmen if Portland expects to reach the Final Four for the fifth time in six years.

5. CONNECTICUT
Defensive anchor Carey Dorn is the Huskies' only returning senior. But sophomore forward Mary-Frances Monroe, the nation's second-highest scorer last year (65 points), and juniors Jen Carlson and Lauren Molinaro could lead this young squad to its fourth Final Four appearance in 10 years.

6. FLORIDA
The Gators won the national title last year, which was only their fourth season fielding a team. But they've lost five starters, including alltime NCAA Division I leading scorer Danielle Fotopoulos, who netted a third of the team's goals in '98. Abby Wambach and Andi Sellers (who missed last year because of a torn ACL) need to step up for the defending champs to make another title run.

7. NEBRASKA
Canadian national team backup goalie Karina LeBlanc will rely on tough defense from World Cup '99 teammates Sharolta Nonen and Isabelle Morneau. The Huskers' fourth Canadian star, midfielder Amy Walsh, will help steer them to their fourth tournament appearance in the program's five years.

8. PENN STATE
Senior forward Kelly Convey, the Nittany Lions' first All-America, will team up with senior midfielder Courtney Lawson and junior defender Luanne Strom to help propel Penn State back into the quarterfinals.

9. HARTFORD
This year's roster, the Hawks' deepest ever, includes four foreign players with national team experience. Dutch duet Danielle Korbmacher and Sandra Doreleijers, who scored a combined 41 goals last year, will keep Hartford in the hunt for its first Final Four berth since '92.

10. DARTMOUTH
Junior goalie Kristin Luckenbill had the sixth-best goals-against average in the nation last year (.47). But the Big Green needs to find consistent scorers if it is to have a chance to repeat its '98 quarterfinals finish.

Hot Dates

Sept. 24
North Carolina vs. Santa Clara in the Duke Adidas Classic

Dec. 3-5
NCAA Women's College Cup (Final Four), San Jose

Division II

Perennial favorite Franklin Pierce College (99-2-0 since 1994) should avenge last year's semifinal loss to Lynn University by claiming its fifth title in six years. The Ravens will be led by two Finnish seniors: national team forward Minna Mustonen and defensive captain Sini Pietila.

Division III

Look for a dominant season from '98 champion Macalester College, which has seven starters returning, including two-time All-America midfielder Kate Ryan-Reiling and goalie Anna Bacho (.28 GAA), who logged 15 shutouts in 22 matches last year.

Cybersources

www.nscaa.com
Rankings and coaching tips

www.collegesoccer.com
Results and schedules

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