DATE: Tuesday, April 29, 1997               TAG: 9704290514

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY REA McLEROY, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   41 lines

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK - KATIE ROWEN: N. ACADEMY SOCCER DEFENDER STRIKES FROM NOWHERE

Catholic's Mary Smith was driving to the goal Friday, trying to break away from the Norfolk Academy defense.

Suddenly, Katie Rowen came cutting across the field and spoiled Smith's best chance to score.

``Where did she come from?,'' Catholic parents in the stands asked.

Seemingly, nowhere. And the senior soccer defender did it the whole afternoon.

Rowen was a defensive phenomenon, shutting down a Catholic offense that entered the game with a 44-2 scoring advantage over opponents this season.

``I really get into it,'' said Rowen. ``I just want to win. I like my teammates and want to do well for them.''

She got her way. The Bulldogs handed the Crusaders their first defeat, 2-0.

In doing so, Rowen did her part in maintaining a dynasty. Norfolk Academy has played 155 consecutive games without losing to a Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools team. Entering this season, Academy lost two key players and a coach. The team was finally vulnerable and other league coaches were thrilled with the prospect of knocking off the mighty Bulldogs.

Rowen and her teammates used the lack of respect to continue the tradition and develop a surprisingly successful season, standing 5-0-1 in the league and 6-4-1 overall.

``It's not hard to get pumped up when people don't think you're as good as we are,'' Rowen said.

Rowen said the team feels no pressure from the lengthy TCIS streak.

``People talk about it and stuff, but we don't really talk about it,'' she said.

What they do talk about is continuing to play well and making a run for yet another TCIS title.

``If we play well and up to our potential, we can win every game for the rest of the season,'' Rowen said. ``I still think we can win it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

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