2007 Record: 19-1

Final 2007 California Ranking: 9

Three Players To Watch: Sammy Romer (Attack), Nolan Semel (Middie), Alex Richardson (Attack)

The Skinny: Palos Verdes graduated 17 seniors and eight starters off last year's Southern Section finalist team, but second-year head coach Lane Jaffe said he isn't concerned. That's because even though he only has two returning starters to draw from, he has the entire 2007 JV team that went unbeaten last season.

"Guys are just waiting for their turn," Jaffe said.

Jaffe, a former head coach at UCLA, won his first 19 games as head coach at Palos Verdes last season and led his team to the Los Angeles County title. Palos Verdes fell to Foothill-Orange County in a one-goal thriller at Home Depot Center in the Southern Section title game. This year, Jaffe said he wants his team to go one step further.

"Our goal is to not only get to the championship but to win it," Jaffe said. "Our sophomore goalie has big shoes to fill, but I expect big things. If we can translate our athleticism into good, fundamental lacrosse, we'll be successful."

Palos Verdes will be led by senior attackman Sammy Romer, senior middie Nolan Semel and senior attackman Alex Richardson.

Romer led Palos Verdes in assists in 2007. Jaffe described him as have good field vision, a high lacrosse I.Q. and a strong shot. Semel is a hard-nosed, two-way middie who will be moving up to the first line, and the 6-foot-4 Richardson is a big, imposing, physical presence.

"We'll be inexperienced but athletic," Jaffe said. "Obviously, we lost 17 seniors, so we'll be seeing who's going to step into their shoes."

Predicted League Finish: 1st