Chesapeake field hockey coach Jerry Raab can't take all the credit for the immense skills of senior Monica Gibson. But she would like to.
"She came from New Jersey and she's been playing hockey since she was 8 or 9 years old," Raab said. "Unfortunately, I can't lay claim to her abilities."
Maybe not, but Raab is the one reaping the benefits, especially this season. Gibson, 17, a center-forward, led Chesapeake to eight victories and second seed in the region playoffs.
She scored 14 goals -- twice as many as she had the previous season -- and assisted on five others. She'll leave the varsity program after three years as the school's all-time leader in goals for a season and a career (26).
"My aunt coached me for about six years [of age] in New Jersey, but Coach Raab has helped me a lot, too," said Gibson, The Baltimore Sun's Anne Arundel County Field Hockey Player of the Year.
"It really surprised me about breaking the records. I wasn't really ready for it. It shocked me. The coaches told me last year what the records were and they set a goal."
Gibson had more opportunities to score this year. With her ability to create shots from anywhere on the field, the ball usually ended up in the cage. And Gibson ended up on the All-State second team.
Raab said, "She has fabulous skills. If you could stop her, then you're a pretty good player. She got almost every one of her corner hits off. She's quick and she has unbelievable endurance."
Gibson broke Patty Brennon's record of 12 goals in a season, set in 1979, when she scored three times in a 4-0 victory over Southern in the last regular-season game. She also scored once in a 5-3 loss to Queen Anne's in the region playoffs, and had five goals in her last three games.
Not surprisingly, she had an immediate impact this season, scoring twice in a 3-2 win over Old Mill. Chesapeake managed just six shots, compared to 11 for the Patriots, but still emerged victorious.
And she did more than score. Raab occasionally would move the versatile Gibson to the midfield. And she could be just as effective on the inside or outside.
"She is definitely college-playing material," Raab said. "She's a terrific player. She can just do everything, and do everything well."