DATE: Thursday, September 25, 1997          TAG: 9709240166

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 14   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   94 lines

NORFOLK ACADEMY HAS TALENT TO REPEAT TITLE SUCCESS

Norfolk Academy has done over the last couple of years what it had set out to do - become the state's premier private school field hockey program.

Last year, for the first time in school history the Bulldogs won both the TCIS and Virginia Independent Schools league championships in the same season.

And Academy has the guns to repeat. The Bulldogs have six returning starters forming a good nucleus and looked strong with a one-goal loss to Group AAA public school state runnerup and Cox and then a 9-1 pasting of undefeated Catholic in the TCIS opener.

That makes Norfolk Academy the team to beat in the TCIS, leaving two or three teams to fight it out for second place.

Following is a look at TCIS field hockey teams, with records through Monday:

CAPE HENRY

Coach: Laurel Martin (2nd year)

Current record: 0-0 TCIS, 2-5 overall

Last year's record: 3-3, 11-7-2

Key performers: Alison Fuqua, Sr., back; Mackenzie Snyder, Sr., keeper; Liz Costigan, Sr., back/midfielder

Outlook: With only three returning starters, this will be a rebuilding year. But Martin, a former U.S. Olympic Team member, knows how to build a field hockey team. While the Dolphins would like to be competitive, the opening of the season has been tough.

CATHOLIC

Coach: Kelly Chaplain and Patty Hyman (1st year)

Current record: 0-1 TCIS, 6-1 TCIS

Last year's record: 1-4-1, 6-10-1

Key performers: Sarah Lepere, Sr., midfielder; Cate Oliver, Jr., back; Mary Ellen Price, Sr., back; Christina Lepere, Sr., wing; Chrissy Hodermarsky, Jr., forward; Kim Brown, Sr., sweeper; Emily Alberts, Jr., forward

Outlook: Hodermarsky is the top returning scorer and leads a potentially strong team that returns seven starters. The Crusaders are motivated to improve on last year's league performance that saw only one win, are building the confidence that should make that happen.

NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK ACADEMY

Coach: Elizabeth McCoy (1st year)

Current record: 0-0 TCIS, 0-5 overall

Last year's record: 0-6, 3-13

Key performers: Lee Carey, Jr., forward; Nicole Santera, Jr., forward; Katie Konefal, Jr., forward; Mary Ellen Coye, Fr., wing; Missy Walker, Jr., link; Nanda DeVanath, Jr., back; Tina Walker, Jr., keeper; Susan Woodward, Jr., forward; Catherine Evans, Jr., back; Jennifer Courtney, Jr., forward

Outlook: Despite 10 returning starters, the Saints are young as there are no seniors in the starting lineup. N-SA is hoping to build some momentum for the future.

NORFOLK ACADEMY

Coach: Mary Werkheiser (4th year)

Current record: 2-0 TCIS, 7-1 overall

Last year's record: 6-0, 19-4-1

Key performers: Mason White, Sr., link; Emily McKnight, Sr., forward; Merrick Michaels, Sr., halfback/forward; Courtney Coalter, Jr., halfback; Alex Rogers, Jr., forward; Jennifer Kawwass, Jr., forward; Claire Denny, So., halfback; Molly Dierks, Sr., link

Outlook: White is the team leader in every aspect of the game, while Rogers returns as the leading attacker after scoring a team-high 17 goals last year. McKnight led in assists. Coalter was the top defender. If this team, which has gotten off to a roaring start, has any weak link, it is possibly with an unproven group of keepers.

NORFOLK COLLEGIATE

Coach: Kathy Miller (12th year)

Current record: 0-1 TCIS, 2-3 overall

Last year's record: 2-3-1, 9-7-2

Key performers: Marsha Pascual, Sr., inner; Anita Gupta, Sr., inner; Fiona Dajao, Sr., link; Christine Teuekjiau, Sr., halfback; Courtney Zinouis, Sr., halfback; Diana Marquez, Sr., sweeper; Lorna Flowers, Sr., keeper; Kate Whitaker, So., link; Liza Zoeller, Sr., link; Alice Dormou, Sr., inner; Megan Brawley, Sr., link

Outlook: Returning six starters will help the Oaks' chances of joining the rest in the battle for second place. There is also good senior leadership - including Pascual, a member of the bronze medal-winning team at the Commonwealth Games. But after a one-goal victory over Hampton Roads, Collegiate suffered one-goal losses to Academy and Catholic. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER

Tina Walker, a junior is keeper on the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

team this year.

N-SA keeper Tina Walker awaits an attack on her goal during a recent

practice. The Saints are fielding a young team this year. KEYWORDS: TCIS FIELD HOCKEY PREVIEW

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