PLAYER OF THE YEAR
* Tina Schroeter, Garrison Forest, sr., defense -- The backbone of a Grizzlies defense that allowed only three goals all season, Schroeter dominated the opposition at center back. That kind of defense was the main reason the Grizzlies went unbeaten and rolled up 11 shutouts en route to the Association of Independent Schools A Division Tournament title. Schroeter proved instrumental in the 2-0 victory over Bryn Mawr in the championship game. No one could take her by surprise. With terrific game sense, phenomenal stickwork and great speed, the AIS All-Star could shut down an offense coming down the middle of the field. "They would get started and boom, she got it and sent it back in right away," said Garrison coach Micul Ann Morse. "She would stop other offenses before they even got started most of the time. She always does smart things. Tina just had an incredible year."
COACH OF THE YEAR
* Micul Ann Morse, Garrison Forest -- In 13 years at Garrison, Morse has never put together a team quite like this year's AIS A Division champion. The Grizzlies pulled of a rarity in the AIS -- an undefeated season. They finished 11-0-3 with 11 shutouts and allowed only three goals -- one of them on a penalty stroke. "Overall, this team had better stickwork and speed than any team I've ever coached," said Morse, who also guided the Grizzlies to three titles in the mid-80s. "My 1988 team was an exceptional team, but this team was amazingly balanced. They had a heightened level of athleticism and stickwork." Most years, the Grizzlies have been notoriously slow starters because classes don't begin at the Owings Mills boarding school until two weeks after everyone else. This fall, however, Morse returned 11 players, including most of her defense from last year's 6-4-3 team, but even she couldn't have foreseen such success. "We didn't realize while it was all going on what a big deal it was," said Morse.
FIRST TEAM AT A GLANCE
* Celia Ashton, Seton Keough, sr., goalie -- Behind an inexperienced defense, Ashton got plenty of work. She saved 252 shots while allowing 25 goals. An aggressive hard worker, Ashton saved the Gators in the AIS B Division tournament final with 11 saves against almost constant pressure. Her performance sealed the B Division tournament title in a 1-0 win over Glenelg Country School for the Gators, who were 1-12-2 going into the tournament.
* Ridgely Bennett, Roland Park, sr., defense -- An unflappable center back for the Reds, Bennett used her steady stick and accurate drives to turn back the opposition. A good passer with great vision, the AIS All-Star used back passes and give-and-goes with precision.
* Laurie Better, Pikesville, sr., defense -- The Panthers sweeper was the cornerstone of a defense that allowed only eight goals in 16 games. A first-team All-State and first-team All-Baltimore County pick, Better had great stops. She stepped up in the tight games, including the 2-1 loss to Elkton in the state semifinals.
* Beth Cohen, Pikesville, sr., attack -- The metro area's leading scorer accumulated 23 goals and five assists for the Baltimore County champs, who rolled up 64 goals. A great finisher in the circle, she could keep her stick on anything and make smart shots. Cohen was named first-team All-Baltimore County and honorable-mention All-State. * Leslie Finn, Towson, sr., attack -- The offensive spark for the Generals, Finn scored 13 goals and had 12 assists. Her speed and stickwork enabled her to move the ball quickly and set up the passing game. Named first-team All-Baltimore County, the aggressive left outside was tough to defend inside the circle.
* Emily Hickman, Bryn Mawr, jr., midfield -- An All-State second-team pick and AIS All-Star, Hickman was the key to transition for the Mawrtians. Her excellent stickwork and ability to change direction helped the Mawrtians to the runner-up spot in the AIS A Division tournament. She also scored two goals and had four assists.
* Missy Hopkins, Garrison Forest, sr., attack -- The AIS All-Star scored six goals and added three assists, but she also set up a lot of other scoring opportunities. With good stickwork and good defensive skills, she could create opportunities out of broken plays even when it seemed the opposition had taken over.
* Christine Lazatin, Bryn Mawr, sr., attack -- Great speed and defensive skills made Lazatin a constant threat to score. The AIS All-Star proved a key to getting the ball into the circle. She led the Mawrtians in scoring with four goals and four assists.
* Jen Murray, Roland Park, jr., midfield -- The Reds center link used her great stickwork and ball control to keep the ball away from just about anybody. A good distributor with excellent field vision, Murray scored four goals -- all on penalty strokes.
* Emily Santos, Friends, jr., midfield -- A defensive-minded center link, Santos could play a sticky marking defense and also spark the offense on transition. The AIS All-Star proved adept at coming up with the interceptions and distributing the ball. She also scored a goal and had an assist.
* Jacque Weitzel, Garrison Forest, jr., goalie -- Weitzel shut out 11 opponents, allowed only three goals and made 64 saves -- not bad for someone who started the season with a mild case of mono. Athletic with good reaction and quick adjustments, the AIS All-Star demonstrated all of her strengths in a tournament shootout win over Maryvale. "She just stuffs people in one-on-one situations," said coach Morse.
* Alexa Wilder, Park, sr., midfield -- A powerful center midfielder with finesse to match, Wilder gave the Bruins instant offense with her long free hits. She also scored three goals and had four assists. A three-time AIS All-Star who plays club ball all year, Wilder has played every position but goalie in her four years with the Bruins.
* Katie Willett, Garrison Forest, sr., defense -- Although she played forward last year, Willett made the switch to back with no trouble. With good patience and timing, the AIS All-Star proved equally steady at marking inside the 25 or covering against the break.
1994 ALL-CITY/COUNTY FIELD HOCKEY
Player of the Year: Tina Schroeter, Garrison Forest
Coach of the Year: Micul Ann Morse, Garrison Forest
First team
Name ... ... ... ... ... School ... ... Class ... Position
Beth Cohen ... .. .. .. Pikesville ... Senior ... Attack
Leslie Finn ... .. .. .. Towson ... ... Senior ... Attack
Missy Hopkins ... ... Garrison Forest ... Senior.. Attack
Christine Lazatin .. ... Bryn Mawr ... ... Senior .. Attack
Emily Hickman ... ... .. Bryn Mawr ... ... Junior .. Midfield
Jen Murray ... ... .. .. Roland Park .. .. Junior ... Midfield
Emily Santos ... ... .. Friends ... ... .. Junior ... Midfield
Alexa Wilder ... ... .. Park ... ... ... .. Senior .. Midfield
Ridgely Bennett ... .. Roland Park ... .... Senior .. Defense
Laurie Better ... ... Pikesville ... ... .. Senior .. Defense
Tina Schroeter ... .. Garrison Forest .. .. Senior .. Defense
Katie Willett ... .. Garrison Forest ... .. Senior .. Defense
Celia Ashton ... ... Seton Keough ... .. .. Senior .. Goalie
Jacque Weitzel .. .. Garrison Forest ... .. Junior .. Goalie
Second team
Name ... ... ... .... School ... ... .. Class ... Position
Courtney Austin .. .. Garrison Forest .. Junior .. Attack
Hedy Born ... .. ... Roland Park ... ... Junior .. Attack
Stephany Flax ... .. Pikesville ... ... Senior .. Attack
Lauren Klein ... .. Garrison Forest .. Junior .. Attack
Lydia Reis .. .. .. Friends ... ... .. Junior .. Attack
Lizzy Bennett .. .. Roland Park ... .. Junior .. Midfield
Jenny Gray ... ... Maryvale ... ... .. Sophomore .. Midfield
Gailor Large .. .. Bryn Mawr ... .. .. Junior .. Midfield
Gia Trionfo ... .. Loch Raven ... ... Senior .. Midfield
Maggie Buck ... .. Bryn Mawr ... ... Junior .. Defense
Elizabeth Rodgers ... Roland Park .. Senior .. Defense
Katie Walker ... ... Towson ... ... Senior .. Defense
Rebecca Shapiro .. .. Park ... ... Senior ... Goalie
PICKING THE TEAMS
The Baltimore Dun 1994 All-Baltimore City/COUNTY volleyball and field hockey teams were selected by Jeff Seidel and Katherine Dunn, respectively.