THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 5, 1995 TAG: 9510030100
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 124 lines
CAN THIS POSSIBLY be the season that an Eastern District field hockey team other than Maury wins the district crown?
There are four teams that hope so. But if history is worth anything, expect Maury to finish on top when the end of the month rolls around.
The Commodores have won every district title since competition began in 1979.
However, there is hope.
``We've been getting some competition lately,'' Maury coach Pat Panzik said. ``Quite a bit of it the last few years. I expect it will be the same this season.''
Lake Taylor and Booker T. Washington are the teams Panzik feels most threatening. But, she adds, Granby and Norview are making great strides.
``It could be an interesting race,'' Panzik said.
However, after a couple of district games, the only interesting thing in the Eastern District appears to be the battle for second. Maury has defeated three opponents by lopsided scores, so it doesn't look likely that there will be any challengers - again.
In the Beach District, six-time defending state champion Cox - a winner of nine state titles overall - looks to once again be the dominating force in the state.
A look at Eastern District field hockey teams:
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
Coach: Mary Delong.
Last year's record: 2-3 in the district.
Returning starters: Robin Finnell, senior midfielder; Vera Roberts, senior back; Ruth Swift, senior forward; Lea Buhler, junior sweeper; Jannat Scoon, junior midfielder; Tara Lapeza, junior back; Sherika Sadler, junior forward; Angie Copeland, junior forward; Andrea Thomas, junior midfielder; Cherrie Sowell, junior midfielder.
Top newcomers: Leslie Evidente, sophomore keeper; Tiffany Goodman, sophomore keeper.
Outlook: The Bookers are on a progression Delong said is right on line with her plans to continuously improve.
``If they play the way they can,'' she said, ``they can compete for the district. But it has to be a team goal.''
The Bookers return a number of players from last year's squad, making experience a key this year.
GRANBY
Coach: Amy Tomasulo.
Last year's record: 2-3 in the district.
Returning starters: Nicki Reese, senior forward; Rachel Gerloff, senior forward; Erin Justus, junior link; Denise Fowdle, senior link; Gina Frazier, junior keeper.
Top newcomers: Laura Price, sophomore midfielder; Holly Baylyss, sophomore midfielder.
Outlook: The Comets lost only one senior to graduation, making the team strong in experience. Tomasulo said her five seniors are hungry to make it to the playoffs in their last chance. A big problem for Granby is depth, having played in a preseason tournament with only two subs.
LAKE TAYLOR
Coach: Laura Felch.
Last year's record: 1-4 in the district.
Returning starters: Erin Harkins, junior midfielder; Erin Finn, sophomore keeper; Stephanie Lynch, senior forward; Angela Riedel, senior forward; Christina Tarr, sophomore forward.
Top newcomers: Nikky Chance, freshman forward; Naida Kretcsh, sophomore back
Outlook: The Titans appear to be the biggest threat to Maury's title streak and overall improvement in individual skill levels is the main reason. Felch said her attack has improved tremendously.
``We're looking pretty good, although we still have quite a bit of inexperience,'' she said. ``But we tied Maury in a scoreless scrimmage and that will help with attitude.''
MAURY
Coach: Pat Panzik.
Last year's record: 5-0 in the district. The Commodores have won every district title.
Returning starters: Katie Roman, senior forward; Megan Kinnear, senior forward; Beth Nottingham, senior link; Sarah Monroe, senior halfback; Catherine Stanfield, senior sweeper; Martha Watson, senior halfback; Melanie Mushill, senior keeper; Lisa Dale, junior halfback; Janet Blevins, junior link.
Top newcomers: Julie Boulerup, sophomore midfielder; Lizzie Burge, sophomore forward.
Outlook: Katie Roman is the top player in the district and leads a strong forward line that has dominated so far. The Commodores got quite a bit of experience - although they lost - by playing several Beach District teams earlier in the season.
``Oh yes, that was some very good exprience for them,'' Panzik said. ``It really showed the girls what they need to work on. In the past, we haven't faced that kind of competition until the region tournament and the girls were never ready for it really. Playing Beach teams will help that.''
Although this isn't the fastest team Panzik has ever fielded, there is lots of speed on the forward line.
NORVIEW
Coach: Kristen Allen.
Last year's record: 3-2 in the district.
Returning starters: Larika Jones, junior halfback; Margarette Kabieting, senior fullback; Keanna Maker, junior fullback; Karol Morrow, junior forward; Lakrisha Phelps, senior halfback; Tanisa Wiggins, junior forward.
Top newcomers: Tiffany Harvey, sophomore forward; Erin Beebe, sophomore forward; Bridgette Mixon, freshman, miefielder; Heather Emerlicx, sophomore keeper.
Outlook: The Pilots could suffer from a line that is young and inexperienced. But, Allen said, the team has been working well on playing together as a unit. ``If that continues, the success will come,'' she said. ILLUSTRATION: EASTERN DISTRICT FIELD HOCKEY
Staff photo by CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Maury's Katie Roman is the district's best.
by CNB