DATE: Thursday, September 11, 1997          TAG: 9709100222

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   41 lines

WARRIORS COME UP SHORT AGAINST STATE CHAMPIONS ``WE SHOWED WE COULD PLAY WITH THEM,'' NANSEMOND RIVER COACH BUCKY PAYTON SAID.

In a couple of ways, Nansemond River's 3-1 loss to defending state champion Kempsville in field hockey Monday was a moral victory.

Unlike last year's 4-0 loss to the Chiefs in the Eastern Region tournament, the Warriors were able to score. And the goal was a result of Nansemond River being able to keep up with Kempsville.

``Athletically and talent wise, we showed we could play with them,'' Nansemond River coach Bucky Payton said, ``but there were some breakdowns in coverage and positioning.''

For a half, the Warriors kept pace with Kempsville - forging a tie at 1 on Sarah Meinertzhagen's goal. But time and time again in the second half, Nansemond River found itself a few too many steps behind.

``We knew what we wanted to do with the ball but we weren't always in position,'' Meinertzhagen said.

Basically Kempsville (3-0) beat Nansemond River (1-1) to the ball both defensively and offensively. And the Chiefs' quickness and persistence led to goals by Katie Johnson and Amanda Nichols.

``We finally settled down and played our game,'' Kempsville coach Sarah Taylor said.

But Nansemond River was far from discouraged. ``I'm pleased with the effort,'' said Payton, who also scheduled a game against state runner-up Cox this season. ``It could have been a lot of worse.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER

Nansemond River's Kristie Hopkins struggles with the ball during a

Monday matchup against Kempsville at Nansemond River.

Nansemond River field hockey coach John ``Bucky'' Payton talks to

his team during a match Monday against defending state champion

Kempsville of Virginia Beach.

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