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(Enlarge) Amber German, HCC girls soccer

High schoolers weren't the only athletes in Howard County starting their sports season as the leaves started to fall from the trees. The four junior college squads at Howard Community College took their respective court, fields and hills last week with dreams of November glory.

Here is a look at each of the Dragons' 2008 squads:

Volleyball

Coach Marc Moore recruited all the way to Winchester, Va. to find freshman Brandi Cook, a 5-foot-11 middle hitter. Cook will complement sophomore Julia Brostrom, one of only two returners and also a middle hitter.

Sheri Penn, a 6-foot right side hitter, is the Dragons' other returner.

Freshmen on this year's team from Howard County high schools are hitters Allison Pecore and Laura Morrison (Howard), setter Kristina Johnson (Wilde Lake) and defensive specialist Shane Crisostomo (Long Reach).

Moore hopes to reclaim the regional championship his team won each year between 2004 and 2006, but missed last year. However, he says, "going to nationals (for the first time) is a bigger goal for us."

Brostrom, who won a state championship at Centennial in 2006, was named to the all-tournament team of the Dragon Invitational Aug. 30-31.

The Dragons went 3-2 in their tournament, losing to Rhode Island and Southern Maryland. Hagerstown again looks to be the top team in the conference.

Former stars Alana Eller and Faith Rice (nee Happel) will become the first HCC volleyball players to have their jerseys retired this season.

On Oct. 8 and 9, HCC will host a breast cancer awareness fundraiser, called Dig Pink.

Cross country

Top returners Brian Allen (Reservoir) and Rex King (Atholton) will lead the Dragons in their attempt to follow up on last year's 12th place finish at the Division III national championships.

Brian Neumaier, another returner from Reservoir, should also be counted on for a major contribution.

Several newcomers, including Mark Kauffman (Calvert Hall) and Mike Janesh (Mt. Hebron), could work their way up the ladder. Especially intriguing is Alfonzo Diaz-Perez, a middle distance track runner from Laurel High who has shown a talent for cross country.

Last year's pace setter, Colin Fearns, is sitting out this fall. Fearns became an All-American by placing fourth at nationals in the 8k last year, the best individual performance ever by an HCC runner at nationals. He plans to return for the spring track season.

Coach Steve Musselman expects his top seven to all finish within one minute of each other.

"The key is how close you can group them together," he said.

With 16 runners, this is one of HCC's largest teams in some time. Musselman expects Hagerstown to be the class of the conference, but likes his team's chances to repeat as Region XX champions.

Women's soccer

After reaching the Division III NJCAA Final Four in 2007, the Dragons have a tough act to repeat. Fortunately, HCC does have a strong returning class with seven sophomores.

Sophomore midfielders Ashley Wendler (Sparrows Point), Amber German (Glenelg) and Sarah Lloyd (Nazareth Area High) return as three of the top four scorers, with 12, 8 and five goals, respectively.

Adding to the sophomore depth are defenders Courtney Parmer (St. Vincent Pallotti) and Katie Green (Hammond), who transferred from four-year schools. Those two will join Lauren Englehart to form a seasoned corps of defenders.

Leading the Dragons' freshmen are forward Allie Novak (Glenelg), midfielder Elizabeth Thomas (Wilde Lake) and Jess Fainberg (Churchill), the team's new goalkeeper.

"We had an incredible year last year. We have the ability to do it again this year," coach Kate Seagroves said. But first the Dragons have to overcome several injuries. They lost one returner to an injured knee before the season, and two starters with severely sprained ankles in the first game of the season.

"We are off to a slow start, but I know we can build up and turn the team into a contender. Once we get everyone healthy and used to playing regularly, I think we will be strong in Region XX," Seagroves said.

HCC's toughest competition in the conference should come from Anne Arundel, Harford and CCBC-Catonsville, with Rockville being a divisional rival.

Men's soccer

The Dragons return only one player, C.J. Tretler (Pallotti), from last year's team, so this season will be an uphill battle. Coach Stefan Draganov says that he does have some talented first-year players, so the squad should have some competitive games.

Tony Lee (Liberty) will lead the defense. David Lim, is one of the team's top playmakers.

"He has great vision on the field and great passing skills," Draganov said.

Forward Kenny Amosu is also a dangerous scoring threat. Locals playing for the Dragons include freshman forwards Promise Ebinum (Reservoir) and Ik Mbonu (Hammond).

Draganov expects CCBC-Essex (which beat HCC, 9-2, in the season opener) and Montgomery-Rockville to be the class of the conference.

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