Scholastic Notes

Far West region

CALIFORNIA

THE SECRET LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP MITTY

It's not often that the three sections of California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) field hockey face each other, which makes the weekend trip that defending Central Coast co-champion San Jose Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) made to the San Diego area even more intriguing.

On Sept. 28, Mitty played against San Diego Division I champion Carlsbad La Costa Canyon (Calif.) and came away with a 2-0 loss. And the following day, Mitty lost 2-1 to Escondido San Pasqual (Calif). But the road trip was not for naught, as Mitty beat San Diego Scripps Ranch (Calif.) 1-0.

It's the kind of thing that can only get California hockey people talking about a unified state championship tournament.

SAN PASQUAL GETS HIGH-PERRFORMANCE HELP

Escondido San Pasqual (Calif.) was one of the country's best field hockey teams in the late 1990s. Coached by Tracey Paul and led by the Gannon and Banuelos sisters, the Eagles won four CIF San Diego sectional championships between 1994 and 1998.

While San Pasqual has been a contending team, the last couple of years has seen a rotation of coaches. This year, however, may see a hint of stability in the program. Paula Conway, the wife of U.S. men's national team coach Nick Conway, has taken over the team and has made a contender into what could very well be a juggernaut.

“They have had to learn a new system and a new coaching style,” Conway tells the San Diego Union-Tribune. “I think there are a few more X's and O's than before. But they are all eager to learn because they really want to win. That makes my job a lot easier.”

COLORADO

COLORADO ACADEMY USED TO OVERTIME

After losing a midseason match to Englewood St. Mary's Academy (Colo.) in extra time, Denver Colorado Academy (Colo.) found itself looking at more 7-on-7 hockey against Aurora Smoky Hill (Colo.).

And Georgia Grey wasn't going to let a little thing like an overtime penalty corner go to waste. Her overtime tip-in of a Kerry Ergen deflection gave the Mustangs a 3-2 win.

"That loss (to St. Mary's Academy) was definitely a wake-up call and we wanted to show today that we are a good team that is capable of getting to the top," Grey tells The Rocky Mountain News.

For last year's notes, click here.