THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 9, 1994 TAG: 9409080184
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
FOR YEARS, NORFOLK Academy dominated field hockey play in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools.
Until a regular-season loss to Norfolk Collegiate last year, Academy hadn't been beaten by a TCIS team since 1987.
Collegiate's victory last year, says Academy coach Lynn Ridinger, was a sign of things to come.
The Oaks ended up winning the regular season, although Academy bounced back in the tournament to retain that title.
``The competition is constantly getting better and better,'' Ridinger said. ``There are several teams, I think, that can win this year.''
Among the teams favored by coaches this season are Norfolk Academy, Collegiate, Nansemond-Suffolk and Cape Henry.
Only seven of the TCIS's 10 member schools play field hockey.
``I think they can be right in there with the rest of us,'' Collegiate coach Kathy Miller said of Cape Henry. ``Field hockey is getting better in this conference.''
In her eighth season as coach, Ridinger sees her Lady Bulldogs in a rebuilding year after losing several of the starters from a 15-5-1 team that advanced to the state League of Independent Schools tournament last year - losing to St. Anne's-Belfield of Charlottesville for the third time in the season.
Academy lost all of its forward line.
Senior co-captains Erin Broome (center back) and Robyn Gunn (midfield) will lead the way, and sophomore keeper Liz Enright has been starting since the eighth grade. Katie Rueger is a junior midfielder and Chris Ward is a senior who will move from a utility role to sweeper. The forward line will be made up of freshmen Mason White and Merrick Michaels (daughter of Kellam wrestling coach Kevin Michaels), sophomore Jennifer Holbrook and junior Katie Deal.
``We're getting into the circle very well, but we're not finishing,'' Ridinger said. ``We need to be getting our shots off much quicker.''
Collegiate had an all-time high 44 girls try out for varsity and JV, giving sixth-year coach Miller plenty to choose from.
Seniors Stephanie Sturtevant (center midfield) and Jennifer Ganderson (sweeper) are the top returners, along with sophomore keeper Chelsie Dailey who has been starting since the seventh grade.
Collegiate will get scoring punch from forwards Margaret Marshall, a senior; juniors Katie Kiefner and Ann Larus; and sophomore Catherine Laine.
Walsingham finished third last season and returns much of its talent base.
``We have a lot of experience for a change,'' coach Kristen Kirkman said. ``Our defense should be very strong.''
Leading the way will be seniors Sally Taugo (halfback), Amy Lubrano (halfback), Christina Davis (sweeper), Lori Godfree (halfback), and Flora Adam (forward). Junior keeper Amy Fiorenza moves up from the JV.
Nansemond-Suffolk coach Susan Wenzel returns to the position after a two-year absence.
Senior Ann Carson Goldberg (back) and juniors Heather Roundtree (back) and Betsy Bagnell (midfield) are the top returners. Junior Robin Lindner and sophomore Margot Nowland will share duties in front of goal.
Senior forward Christina Waryas is a transfer from Connecticut that Wenzel said will really help Bagnell in the scoring department.
``Scoring has been one of our weaknesses in the past and I think that will change this year,'' Wenzel said. ``Christina is fitting in very well. She has more experience in the game that we're used to.''
Cape Henry returns seniors Susie Johnson (forward), Amy Reeves (right wing) and keeper Page Perry and will bring up a number of junior varsity members to fill in voids left by graduation.
Natalie Bray is a junior midfielder and Kelly Bradley is a sophomore back.
``She's very exciting to watch, very skilled,'' coach Susan Edwards said.
Catholic is hoping to improve on last year's .500 finish and will be depending on senior Tracy Reinman and juniors Chelsey Fentress, Margot DeMontepelliar and Lorna Tweed.
Hampton Roads failed to win a varsity game last year, but junior varsity coach Jean Scudder moves up and bring many members of her 5-3-3 team with her.
``Half of them came up with me,'' she said.
Seniors Kristina Pitsilides (back), Stacy Droessler (keeper) and Mary Catherine Trible (Paul Trible's daughter and forward) will be looked to for experience. Junior Sara Anderson is the top defender and freshmen Ashley Meeker (midfield) and Joanna Wennersten (forward) will be looked to for scoring punch. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by PETER D. SUNDBERG
Senior co-captains Erin Broome, left, and Robyn Gunn, above, will
lead the way for Norfolk Academy this year. Among the teams favored
by coaches this season in the Tidewater Conference of Independent
Schools are Norfolk Academy, Collegiate, Nansemond-Suffolk and Cape
Henry.
by CNB