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The Bowie High School girls' soccer team may still be stinging from a tough 1-0 loss Friday to Bethesda-Chevy Chase in the Maryland Class 4A state semifinals, but a look ahead to next year should help ease the pain.

Following this fall's 14-2 campaign, during which Bowie outscored its opponents 133-7, the Bulldogs will lose only four seniors. Among the returnees next season will be sophomore goalkeeper Nikki Jenkins, who allowed just seven shots to slip past her all season, and leading scorer Maddie Simms, who had 31 goals and 14 assists this season.

The team will look to take one step further in 2010 after being eliminated in the state semifinals for the second year in a row. Although the Bulldogs stayed close to Bethesda-Chevy Chase throughout Friday's contest, a defensive lapse and a rare goalkeeping blunder on a first-half corner kick gave the Barons the only goal of the match.

"It's just sad because we worked really hard to get here, and we just lose 1-0 on a bad corner we should have saved," said freshman midfielder Alison Ryan.

First-year coach Aaron Hankey was quick to point out his team will have to replace several key contributors. Simms' partner up top, Mary Randolph, finished second on the team with 21 goals while also chipping in 14 assists. In addition, central midfielder Kristi Hepner, who led the team with 17 assists to go along with her 15 goals, will move on, as will stingy sweeper Jeni Heizer.

Hankey does, however, believe his team has the ingredients to potentially "come this far again and win next time." In addition to Jenkins and Simms, the team will also return two talented young outside midfielders — Ryan and sophomore Marissa Green — who finished the season with double-digit goal totals. Aggressive stopper Hannah Donahoe should help the back line fill the void left by Heizer.

If they all decide to come back for another run, as many as 19 experienced players could join Hankey as the Bulldogs try to defend their 4A South Region championship in 2010. Looking back on this season, Hankey pointed out the strong character his squad showed throughout the campaign and noted there is no reason to believe his returnees won't bring the same enthusiasm next fall.

"These girls came to practices all the time, worked hard, were dedicated and just love the game," Hankey said.