DATE: Sunday, November 2, 1997              TAG: 9711010315

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 16   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   71 lines

JUST IN TIME, THE INJURY-PLAGUED WARRIORS PASS ``CHEMISTRY TEST ''

Sure, Nansemond River won the Southeastern District field hockey title - its fourth straight regular-season crown. But for coach Bucky Payton, this title wasn't the easiest or the most enjoyable.

``It's been the most frustrating as far as trying to get some continuity and chemistry going,'' said Payton, whose Warriors advanced to the district tournament final with Wednesday's 2-0 win over Lakeland.

From start to finish, Nansemond River's season has been full of wins and cheers alongside bumps and bruises.

Center link Sarah Meinertzhagen, considered a top candidate for district player of the year in the preseason, has been hampered all season with a leg injury suffered in soccer last spring.

Midfielder Lori Outlaw missed the Deep Creek game after being injured in an automobile accident.

Goalkeeper Vanell Vandross, one of just two seniors on the team, fractured her finger in the Lakeland game and missed three practices before the Oscar Smith contest. In addition, a couple of other players have missed practices or games for different reasons.

Not until the district-clinching 2-1 overtime victory over Oscar Smith did Payton have all his players at one time.

``This is about the longest streak we've had with everyone there,'' Payton said.

The lack of a consistent lineup has made Payton more reliant on every individual player.

Outlaw took center stage in the Warriors' win against Oscar Smith.

She assisted on Amanda Strickland's goal as the Warriors took a 1-0 lead. With the score tied at 1 in overtime, Outlaw was one of the defenders who tracked down Joetta Thorpe as the Oscar Smith forward was headed for an open net. Outlaw then scored the winning goal with 6:58 left in the first overtime.

Goalkeeper Vanell Vandross has been a factor in every game, recording 73 saves in 84 opportunities. Her job has been made easier by the efforts of Ashley Alston and Latrice Mizelle. The two defenders have been pivotal in limiting the scoring chances of the opponents.

In addition, Meinertzhagen, Strickland, Laura Currence, Kristi Hopkins and Melissa Sklar also have made an impact for the Warriors. And Nansemond River (13-4) has reached a couple of milestones to go along with another district title.

The win over Lakeland was the school's 80th in just its eighth year of existence.

``Ten wins a year in the first eight years is not bad,'' Payton said.

Nansemond River also has run its career record to 17-0 against Lakeland. But while Payton is proud of the past successes, he emphasizes that his players look ahead.

He intentionally scheduled tough nondistrict teams so his players could see what improvements had to be made to be more competitive on the regional and state levels.

The Warriors played last year's state finalists Kempsville and Cox, losing 4-0 and 3-0, respectively.

``I am not going to know what it has done for us until regionals,'' Payton said. ``Last year, we had a much better record than this year, but that team wasn't as good. Kempsville and Cox have given us a measuring stick, something to gauge our progress by.

``Even if they don't make you better now, they'll make you better next year or the year after that. We'll continue to play those games.''

The Warriors, who played Hickory in the district final Friday, open Eastern Region tournament play Tuesday at Cox against the Beach District runnerup. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

Coach Bucky Payton talks with his players during halftime at a

recent Nansemond River game. The Warriors advanced to Friday's

district tournament final against Hickory with Wednesday's 2-0 win

over Lakeland.

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