THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 18, 1995 TAG: 9511181748
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
James Madison's field hockey team includes four players from Virginia Beach, something they all agree is a cute angle.
But the real story, they say, is the way their local ties have been superseded by the bond they've developed with the rest of the Dukes - a fellowship that's been central to the defending NCAA champions' 19-4 record and berth in the NCAA semifinals today at noon against top-ranked North Carolina in Winston-Salem, N.C.
``We don't really think of ourselves as a `Virginia Beach Connection' or anything like that,'' said Heather Hoehlein, who along with Kelly McDonald, Holly Garriott and Sally Tempest makes up the Dukes' South Hampton Roads contingent. ``I mean, I played with Kelly in high school so it's kind of cool that she's here and we can play together again. But I've developed a strong bond with everyone here.
``It's as though I've known my teammates my whole life. It hasn't mattered where anyone has come from. We've all blended into a JMU family, and I think that's helped make us such a strong team.''
The ``We Are Family'' theme is hardly new among field hockey teams. But the fourth-ranked Dukes insist it's no cliche.
``We hang out together, do things with each other. It's really pretty amazing,'' Garriott said. ``We even have fun on the field, although it's an intense kind of fun.''
The intensity and family atmosphere are fueled by coach Christy Morgan, a three-time All-American at Old Dominion who is spoken of in almost reverential tones by her charges.
``Christy's the foundation of everything here,'' Garriott said. ``I knew I wanted to play for her the first time I met her.''
The four players, all from Cox except former Kempsville star Garriott, have provided an entire spectrum of on-field contributions.
Hoehlein, a senior defender, has started every game and set a school record for assists (18) in the Dukes' 3-0 quarterfinal victory over Penn State. McDonald, a junior forward, has started 17 games and is fifth on the club in points (18). Garriott, a sophomore midfielder, has appeared in 10 games, while freshman Tempest is redshirting.
The Dukes are considered underdogs in today's game - North Carolina's 22-0 record includes a 2-0 victory over JMU on Oct. 21 - but say they relish that role. They also expect to play with their minds unburdened by the expectations raised after last year's success.
``To be honest with you, we don't look back on what happened last year,'' Hoehlein said. ``The coaches really emphasized that if we lived on what happened in the past, we'd be in for a terrible year. This is a different team, with different chemistry. I'm excited. I feel like I've never been to a Final Four.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Kelly McDonald
Holly Garriott
Heather Hoehlein
Sally Tempest
by CNB