Divots Tear Up the Field in Indio

Orange County’s Mulligan Field Hockey Club, home of “The Divots” U19 team are gold medal winners for the 2008 National Festival. This USA National Festival is one of the most premier tournament events in the country to win while players are looking to catch the eyes of college coaches.

What an exciting week of field hockey lead by our team captain Clair “Bear” Layton, Newport Harbor HS and anchored by our two exceptional standout senior players, Shannon Rohan, Newport Harbor HS and Colleen Ryan, Huntington Beach HS, ! Our record for the tournament: W-5, L-0, D-1.

The Divots triumphed over teams from coast to coast, San Diego, CA, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Parts of the country as Maryland and Pennsylvania foster superb hockey and hopefully now they know we have some pretty darn good hockey in California too!

The Divots had amazing stats with four unbelievable shut outs, all tournament only two goals scored against a wall of tough as nails defense and 10 beautifully executed goals from a variety of ways, corner shots to fast breaks. With each win the buzz about The Divots spread over the 25 field venue with college coaches coming up to ask us “where are ya’ll from”.

Here are just a few highlights. During one game, we came back from a 0-1 half-time deficit against a team from Kirjeland, Pennsylvania by scoring two goals in the second half for the 2-1 upset. This game was a testament to our heart and determination. Our young athlete’s embraced the coaching staff’s mantra, “offense wins games and defense wins championships”!

During another game our team confidence builds with perfectly executed attacks of strong offense scoring three goals and once again our wall of defense always at the ready with Danielle Herrington, Edison HS first half and Suzie Toumanian, Fountain Valley HS second half in goal with another shut out. The Divots win 3-0 against Maine Stix.

As Judy and I (Debbie) said from first the day of trials for this tournament team, “there is magic here” and this team had that twinkle in their eyes riding out the magical wave!

The team played their hearts out under a new formation that perhaps early on only the coaching staff believed you could pull off with the incredible talent on this squad. Many teams would have folded after so many tough fights but you stayed focused and believed in your teammates; individually you found out how tough you are by digging deep to find the energy to play hard every game. We are so proud of you for taking on this challenge. Elizabeth “Lizard” Tennyson, was injured during some strong defensive play and had to be carried off the field by medical personnel. Lauren “Critter” Crites, was also missed as she was hospitalized just prior to the event.

Head Coaches: Debbie Custer and Judy Schaefer - For additional info for the article call: 714-655-4131

Assistant Coach Becca Antongiorgi

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR TEAM PHOTO

Players: Lt. to Rt. Rear: Coach Judy Schaefer, Jennifer Schultz, Kylie Sheppard, Lauren Chandler, Blair Boies, Ashley Pollak, Lauren Shklanko, Stephanie Walter, Claire Layton

Center: Madison Pollak, Heather Apodaca, Megan Good, Shannon Rohan, Lauren Crites, Liz Tennyson, Colleen Ryan, Keely Toma, Erandi Morales, Coach Debra Custer,

Kneeling: Danielle Herrington and Suzy Toumanian