Look for firepower on Carroll County soccer fields in '24

Fall sports are set to begin Sept. 6, and for Carroll County Athletic League soccer that means county title defenses for Century girls and Westminster boys.

It also means the return of many players who put together standout 2023 seasons.

Let's take a look at some of them, with the caveat that they were not seniors last fall and should be back in 2024 (rosters won't be finalized until practices are underway beginning Aug. 14).

BOYS

Lucas Britos, Liberty: Britos finished with 16 goals, third most in the CCAL, and helped the Lions get to the 1A state semifinals. Britos collected a hat trick (3 goals) in Liberty's regional final win against county rival South Carroll.

Nick McGhin, Century: McGhin led the CCAL with 26 points and finished second in overall points with 56. He scored 3 goals in the Knights' 4-3 win over Queen Anne's in the Class 2A state semifinals, and netted a goal in the championship game against Damascus.

Maddox Shuman, Winters Mill: Shuman might be tapped as a replacement for the graduated Reed Postlethwait, who led CCAL in scoring with 57 points (25 goals, 7 assists). Shuman put in 8 goals and added 7 assists for 23 points. 

GIRLS

Hannah DeVincent, Liberty: DeVincent led Carroll in scoring with 53 points and dished out 19 assists, also tops in the county. She helped the Lions win a regional title and earned Carroll County Times Player of the Year honors last fall. And she earned honorable mention all-state honors from the Maryland Association of Coaches of Soccer.

Hannah Neske, Winters Mill: Neske burst onto the scene as a freshman and totaled 8 goals and 9 assists for the Falcons. Her 25 points was fourth best in the county last season. She scored twice in a victory over Hammond in October.

Bryce Sarver, Liberty: Sarver netted 12 goals and finished with 28 points, second most in the CCAL. Sarver was part of a free kick that found the net in the Lions' 1-1 tie against county champion Century last fall.