It wasn't exactly Joe Namath predicting the Jets would beat the Colts in Super Bowl III, but last year Essex Community College women's soccer coach Scott Wittman said at midseason that his team would win the national championship.
And that's exactly what the Knights did.
Wittman, however, is not being as bold with his forecast for the Knights in this season's national tournament, which will be played today through Sunday at Essex.
That's not to say that Wittman doesn't think the fifth-seeded Knights -- who will meet fourth-seeded Springfield Tech (Mass.) in the opening round -- can repeat.
Springfield (14-0-1), which is making its first appearance in the nationals, has the tournament's best scorer in sophomore forward Sarah Sorcinelli.
"If we get by our first game, I feel we have an excellent chance of doing well," said Wittman, the brother of Spirit player Tim Wittman. "Playing on our own field, anything can happen."
The Knights have qualified for the national tournament seven times in 10 years under Wittman. But Essex's road to the nationals this season has been a bit bumpier than usual.
An outbreak of injuries and a lack of depth have contributed to the Knights' drop from 18-1 last season to 8-4-3. Those factors have forced Wittman to play several players out of their natural positions.
"You have to be able to adapt," said Wittman, who has compiled a 112-38-9 record at Essex. "The key for us has been our versatility."
Two of Essex's more versatile players have been Amy Stone and Kathleen Fort, a pair of sophomores from Perry Hall High School. Stone (six goals, six assists) is the Knights' leading scorer.
"Whether she's at right halfback or center halfback, Stone always comes through. And Fort has played everywhere on the field," Wittman said.
Return to nationals
After a three-year absence, the Essex CC men are back in the national soccer tournament.
The Knights (12-4) will play Spartansburg Methodist (17-1-1) in an opening-round game at noon today at Mercer County Community College.
Essex, which has won 11 of its past 12 games, is led by freshmen Mike Lance (17 goals, 16 assists) and Luke Bell (21 goals, 10 assists).
Bell (Dundalk High) needs four goals to break the school record for goals in a single season set by Derek Bujak in 1989.
"I want to come out scoring. We need to get some quick goals out of Lance and Bell," said Essex first-year coach Tom Wall.
Spartansburg, which is led by freshman Carlos McGregor (18 goals), is making its second consecutive appearance in the tournament after placing sixth last season.
"I know Essex is starting to jell and play very well right now," Spartansburg coach Pete Peterson said. "We haven't seen them play, but we are taking them very seriously."