8. TOWSON
2018 record: 16-5 (5-1 CAA)
Last seen: Conceding a season-high 21 goals to Northwestern in an NCAA second round loss.
Senior starts lost: 85 of 252 (33.7 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 159 of 398 (40.0 percent)
Initial forecast: Towson is back and should remain among the nation’s top teams in 2019. The Tigers feature their leading scorer from 2018 (Natalie Sulmonte, 75 points) and leading defenders (Olivia Conti, 52 caused turnovers; Sami Chenoweth, 44 caused turnovers). The Towson defense should be even better in 2019 because Kiley Keating returns in the crease. Keating posted a 9.36 GAA and 47.4 save percentage last year as a sophomore, which featured six games with 10 or more saves. Ultimately, can the Tigers repeat their winning performances against NCAA teams like Florida, Penn State, Georgetown and Johns Hopkins? If so, expect Towson to be in line for another top eight seed on Selection Sunday.
7. VIRGINIA TECH
2018 record: 14-7 (5-2 ACC)
Last seen: Running out of steam in a third straight loss to North Carolina, which came in the NCAA second round.
Senior starts lost: 143 of 252 (56.7 percent)
Senior scoring departing: 125 of 344 (36.3 percent)
Initial forecast: Coach John Sung continues to bring the Hokie program to new heights, and that should be expected again in 2019 despite losing so many talented defensive players. Leading scorer Paige Petty (58 goals, seeven assists) returns and will need some aid from the likes of Taylor Caskey (38 points), Julia Bolte (35) and Mary Claire Byrne (27). How Sung is able to regroup his defensive unit, especially in net, will determine how far the Hokies can go. As he brings in another crop of his recruits, expect Virginia Tech to remain in the top half of the ACC and have a chance to move to the NCAA tournament’s second weekend.