A team with a strong field hockey tradition, Mary Washington College aimed to return to the upper echelon of the NCM Division III South Region in the 1990s. Absent from post-season competition since 1986, the Eagles entered the 1990 campaign with a talented, determined team. MWC - under the direction of first-year head coach Dana Soper - responded with a 10-5 season against a difficult schedule, and its first ECACTournament appearance in five seasons.
The Eagles registered seven shutouts and also a seven-game winning streak, and outscored opponents, 39-17 during the season. Soper's philosophy of balanced scoring, tenacious defense and strong conditioning proved effective, as the Eagles won five games by two goals or less, often prevailing in the closing half. "Our defense succeeded because of its aggressive, attacking style," said Soper. "We were offensive minded, taking the play to our opponents rather than waiting for them to approach the circle. We also tried to scout opponents, adapt to the style of play and pick apart their weaknesses."
Rebecca Gajdalo (Cherry Hill, NJ) paced the Eagles with 19 saves, followed by second-team All-Region defender Jennifer Freed (lr.z Newport News, VA), who made 18.That duo will anchor next season's defense, with support from Alisa Ramirez (So./Charlottesville, VA) and Amanda Betz (North Conway, NH), who stepped into the lineup midway through the season and "did an excellent job: Veteran Karen Richardson Or./ Annapolis, MD) will also contribute to the defense.
Looking to pick up the slack for the now-departed Whited will be forward Kim Cornell (Fr./Newport News, VA; seven goals, three assists) , winger Melody Brown Or./ Stafford, VA; four goals, five assists), midfielder Ellen Truskowski (So./ Beechwood, NJ), forward/ midfielder April Moshos (Fr./Fairfax, VA; two goals, team-high six assists) and Pam Seidler Or./Wenham, MA; three goals, four assists). Truskowski (four goals, five assists) has the team's hardest shot and also contributed 12 defensive saves in 1990.
Leslie Ptashinski (Fr./Basking Ridge, NJ), a link, should be a strong contributor after missing half of her freshman season because of illness. A consistent offense was paced by senior forward Sheri Whited (Annandale, VA), who won firstteam All-Region honors after scoring 14 goals and three assists for 17 points. Whited-who concluded her .stellar career with 39 goals and 22 assists - was also selected to the College Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Star Game (held at Rutgers University, NJ). Joining Whited on that team was senior goaltender Lori McCabe (Ocean View, DE), an AlIRegion selection in 1989 who recorded an .874 save percentage and participated in seven shutouts this past fall. McCabe was helped by an outstanding defense which allowed just 1.12 goals per game, with 79 defensive saves. Junior