The 1983 Field Hockey season at Mary Washington College was very successful as the 5-8-1 record made an improving jump on the 1982 mark of 2-11. With only two seniors and three juniors to draw on for experience, the season started slowly, but turned around drastically in the middle, once new players adapted to positions and teammates.

MWC pulled off a five-game winning streak which included a 1-1 tie with the NCAA Region's fifth ranked team, Bridgewater College, and a 1-0 win over a strong Randolph-Macon College team. Said Coach Beth Reichel, "I felt the team improved tremendously from the start to the end ofthe season. In fact, it was like watching a completely different team by the time we were finishing our last few games."

The Blue Tide was lead this season by newcomer Pam Heller (Richmond, VA), as she connected for nine goals, and senior Erin McGinty (Alexandria, VA) with three goals and three assists. "Pam is a player with a great concept of cutting, which is hard to teach a player. and she works well with Erin, a senior whose speed will bp missed in next year's line-up at wing," Reichel explained.

Other outstanding players included captains Mary Buckley (Hampton Bays. NY) and Sally Jones (Richmond. VA). and defensive players Ellen Henderson (Arlington. VA) and Sandy Ervine (Fairfax. VA). "With the strong group of players returning and the enthusiasm that surrounded the team at the end of the season. the outlook for the 1984 fall season can only be super optimistic," Reichel said. "The players are already talking about spring conditioning and coming back early in the fall to get started. They are very excited."