Bruins defend district field hockey crown

By Hugh Rist For the News & Messenger
Published: October 30, 2008

Before the game, losing was “not an option” for the Forest Park Bruins’ field hockey team, according to one of its most dependable players, junior midfielder Sam Schottler.
And buoyed by that approach, Schottler made sure it wouldn’t happen, scoring both goals and having a consistent presence in front of the cage in the Bruins’ 2-0 victory over Woodbridge Thursday in the finals of the Cardinal District tournament.
Forest Park (13-5), which beat the Vikings in three of four meetings this season, advanced as the Cardinal District’s top seed on Tuesday. The Bruins will face North Stafford, the Commonwealth District’s No. 2 team.
Forest Park coach Edie Pybus said a timeout taken early in the second half was a key factor.
“I needed to tell them to focus,” Pybus said. “We knew we needed a change in plan on defense, because we knew Woodbridge would not give up easily. They didn’t.”
Woodbridge (9-9), which will play host to the winner of tonight’s Cedar Run District championship match between Osbourn Park and Liberty in the first round of regionals, was missing one of its captains as well as a strong defensive presence in senior Lauren Maddox, whose father, Gerry, passed away of a heart attack just days ago.
“It definitely would have made a difference to have Lauren here,” Woodbridge coach Tiffani Washington said. “She’s such a vocal leader on this team that we don’t do as well when she’s out. She’s been strong through it. The night her father passed away, she came out here and stroked for us. Even though she wasn’t here with us, she’s still here in spirit. It is frustrating that we couldn’t win her a district title, but we have to move on from here and do the things in practice that we couldn’t do here tonight.”
The things Washington referred to included offensive firepower. The Vikings had numerous chances but the Forest Park defense, along with the play of sophomore goalie Lydia Phillips, prevented them from putting the ball in the cage.
Schottler praised the play of Phillips, who was mobbed by her teammates following the hard-earned victory.
“She’s come up pretty big for us lately,” Schottler said. “All of us juniors and seniors really appreciate what she has done. We are close-knit off the field and I think that just gives all of us confidence that we can play as a team.”
Pybus said the Bruins must continue to play strong defense if it wants to beat North Stafford.
“They are not dissimilar to the type of teams we see here (in the Cardinal District),” Pybus said. “We will have to play fast defense and mark well. We are not a one-person team and that’s the kind of depth that you need (in regional play).”