THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 3, 1994 TAG: 9409030647
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Old Dominion field hockey coach Beth Anders has taken a novel approach to putting her team back on track after last year's disappointing 17-4-2 season.
The Monarchs continued their dominance in the Colonial Athletic Association with an 8-1 conference record, finished seventh in the nation and made their 13th consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament. But Anders has challenged them to write their own stories this year. And the key to their success is to focus on one character: the team.
``It's not about anybody but us and how we can fight,'' Anders said.
Anders, who looked at last season as a learning experience after winning four NCAA championships in the previous five years, wants to bring ODU back.
``We want to be fighters,'' she said. ``When someone faces Old Dominion, they're in for a battle. We had a young team last year. They had to figure out who they were, and they had to figure out how to be good. The 1992 team set a standard. Following an act like that is somewhat difficult, and I thought they did very well. For them, winning the CAA was a big feat.''
But Anders isn't concerned about the past. She isn't worried about powerhouse status or even winning the CAA, a feat that only ODU has accomplished since the inception of field hockey into the league.
``I'm just worried about what we're going to do in practice tomorrow,'' she said.
So does this ODU team have what it takes to bring back that aura of invincibility?
Anders seems to think so.
``They can do what they want to do,'' Anders said. ``But it requires discipline. It requires focus. It's a question I ask them every day. They have the opportunity to write their own memories, and if it's a fairy-tale ending with a national championship, that's wonderful.''
Anders isn't the only one who seems to think ODU is a contender for the national title. The preseason coaches poll has ODU second, after North Carolina and before defending champion Maryland. CAA rival James Madison, which stunned ODU in the first round of the NCAA tournament last year with a 1-0 upset, is ranked sixth.
Senior Sue Callahan (one goal, 23 assists) said this season will have a much better ending than last.
``We trust each other more this year,'' said Callahan, a Princess Anne graduate. ``We have to be a team and play as a team. That's what we lacked last year.''
Callahan, an All-American and All-CAA center back, tops a list of seven returning starters: goalkeeper Kim Decker, who won a gold medal at the 1994 Olympic Festival in St. Louis; Academic All-Americans Sam Salvia, Gwen Davis and Sue Dano; first-team All-CAA selection Alaina Hunt; and second-team All-CAA pick Karen Neiss.
Leading the newcomers are Cox graduate Joey Evans, Heather Eastburn and Takiyah Gettys.
With the plethora of experience and talent at Anders' hands, ODU seems to be priming another powerhouse. But ultimately, the unwritten final chapter is up to the players. ``Whatever the ending,'' Callahan said, ``I hope we're pleased that we did everything we could with no regrets and that we did it together as a team.''
The first chapter begins Sunday, when the Monarchs meet St. Joe's at 1 p.m. at Foreman Field. The Monarchs will take on the alumni at 1 p.m. today.
Virginia Wesleyan coach Terri Sawyer faces another rebuilding season with a team shallow in experience and depth. Last season, the Marlins were 4-8 overall and 1-7 in the ODAC. Top returnees include three sophomores: forward Monica Saltarelli, a second-team All-ODAC pick in 1993, link Katie Flatley and forward Beth Tarver. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Senior center back Sue Callahan tops a list of seven returning
starters for the ODU field hockey team.
by CNB