THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 18, 1994 TAG: 9409160282
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 118 lines
ACTION IN THE Beach District's most successful sport took a slightly different swing this season.
Beach field hockey teams have opened the season with several non-district contests, with several schools playing Northern Virginia competition - an area of the state that annually provides the Beach with its most formidable foes.
In years past, play was confined to the district.
But one thing hasn't changed.
Cox should remain the queen of the hill in district competition - with one opposing coach labeling the Falcons as being in a league of their own.
Cox has won five straight Group AAA state titles - eight total since the tournament began in 1977. Kempsville has won three crowns, and Princess Anne, First Colonial and, most lately, Green Run have been runner-ups.
The Falcons return the top two scorers in the state in Kirsty Hale and Kim Miller. The two combined for 61 goals last year, Hale edging her teammate, 31-30.
The fourth-longest high school field hockey streak in the country came to an end last year at 58, when Green Run defeated the Falcons in a penalty strokes shootout in the Beach District tournament final.
But Cox cruised through the rest of post-season play, starting a new winning streak.
``We're going for number six (state titles in a row),'' coach Nancy Fowlkes said. ``I feel very strongly that we can get there. This is, on paper, the strongest 11 players I've ever put on the field. I know that's saying something very strong, but I think it is.
``The only thing is whether they come together to be the best team I've ever put on the field. That's up to them.''
According to Fowlkes, there is plenty of incentive. She said that one of the strongest motivators comes from each new team not wanting to be the one that breaks the run of state titles.
But this Cox team isn't all that new.
The Falcons lost only two starters to graduation, and the fill-ins could be starters for any team in the state.
Joining Hale and Miller on the forward line are juniors Catherine McCallum and Lauren Crenshaw and junior Malia Fischer.
The midfielders are senior Amy Lamoreux and juniors Robin Dwyer and Jessica Barney. The backs are seniors Sally Tempest, Cindy Spencer and Sonali Chaturvedi.
Kim Iman is back in goal and has moved up to the ``moon boot'' equipment that most college keepers are using.
``She's much improved,'' Fowlkes said. ``She went to camps and did very well. If she can use the boots to keep her clears on the ground, she's going to be very tough.''
Here's where the battle really begins.
Coaches list Bayside, Kempsville, First Colonial and Salem as viable contenders for the No. 2 spot, stressing the fact that on the right day, any one of them could upset Cox.
The Marlins have the kind of speed to run with anybody.
Forward Quan Nim and keeper Jen Walter both return after a year's absence caused by torn anterior cruciate ligaments in knees. Nim scored eight goals in four games in the Salem Invitational. Junior forward Dawn Bell scored five goals.
Juniors Angie Hebron and Jen Moricle, and senior Mandi Payne hold down the midfield. Danielle Callender is a promising freshman back.
Kempsville is led by seniors Tonya Morgan, Katie Owens, Nicole Frey, Sarah Herrmann and Tricia Jenkins. Junior forward Charlette Fayton is a speedster and Adrienne Parker is a sophomore halfback who is new to the starting lineup.
Coach Sarah Taylor expects the offense to do well, while the defense is somewhat inexperienced.
``Our attack should be strong, but we're going to have to score more than we let the other team,'' she said.
First Colonial lost a majority of its defensive unit and is currently working towards meshing in the new personnel.
Tri-captains Jamie Kollar, Jennifer Spruill and Jenny Fentress will provide the leadership, while Megan James and Lisa Neely will anchor the midfield. Ana Azizkhani is the keeper.
Salem will be led by seniors Julie Miller and Melanie Reeves, and juniors Kelly King and Heather Brandon. Jenn Hagberg and Michelle Pritchard are the keepers. Angela Angeles is a sophomore midfielder.
Tallwood is predicted to be much improved, as coach Jaudon Felch says the team is finally coming together as a unit. The lone ingredient is a killer instinct inside the scoring circle.
Seniors Barvie Berger, Chrissy Mister and Kelly Lieupo are joined by juniors Naomi Muha, Erin O'Brien and keeper Becky Huffman. Heather Kinstler, Claire Reyes and Jenny Pope are sophomores joining the starting lineup.
Former Green Run coach Yogi Boothe is the new coach at Ocean Lakes, bringing Stallions returning forward Mimi Smith to the Dolphins lineup. Smith, who played on last year's state runner-up squad, will move to the midfield, where she can control the game and provide better leadership. Senior Sheri Johnson was a backup keeper for First Colonial last year and will start in goal. Juniors Melanie Panza and Miranda Groomes come from First Colonial and Kellam, respectively.
Kellam lost a good portion of its starters to graduation and then had last year's MVP go down at camp with a torn ACL.
That leaves seniors Natlie Elliott and Renee Phillips with the leadership roles, guiding juniors Kristin Traynor, Amanda Mickiewicz and Tina Whitaker. Amanda Keith is a sophomore keeper, and Elizabeth Howard is a sophomore forward.
Margaret Brandon takes over the helm at Green Run, after assisting Boothe in last year's outstanding campaign. She'll have to totally rebuild a forward line that dominated play last year.
The seniors are Erin Craft, Tina Stalch, Jenna Stewart, Brandi Beigay and keeper Jamie Landon - last year's backup. Lynn Balan and Quiana Erb are key juniors.
As of press time on Thursday, no information was available on the Princess Anne squad. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
The ball bounces off of Cox goalkeeper Kim Iman during a practice.
Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Nancy Fowlkes has coached Cox to eight state championships, the last
five in a row.
by CNB