By Jim Lockwood
Staff Writer

Posting an impressive number of wins isn't the objective for Manchester Central's field hockey team in 2005.

Central junior Jen Clayton (right) charges in for a ground ball during the Little Green's scrimmage against Queen City rival West at West Memorial Field on Aug. 24. Central was scheduled to face Pinkerton Academy in its season opener. (Jim Lockwood Photo)

Instead, the main goals of this Class L club are to remain competitive as a team and have every player increase her individual skill level.

To meet these objectives, Central's athletes decided to focus on learning the basics of the sport.

"A lot of us have limited experience," said senior defensive back Brittany Norton of Hooksett. "We want to get better and be a competitor to people who have beat us in the past."

According to head coach Jen Briggs, the Little Green, until recently, has been without a youth field hockey program serving as a feeder system for Central.

However, feeder systems at the junior high school- and elementary school-levels were already in place to benefit other high school programs on the Class L landscape.

But without those types of introductory programs at her disposal, Briggs had to start from the ground floor when teaching her players the game.

So when some of Central's players reported to their first practice as freshmen, it was the first time they'd ever touched a field hockey stick.

"It's not enough for them to come out in August to play and expect to be very good," Briggs said. The players need to know how to pass, reverse the stick and play good defense to be successful, the head coach added.

One way Briggs is attempting to develop those fundamental skills in her players is by designing a practice regimen that's challenging - but far from impossible - for them to successfully complete.

Central's .05 edition is led by three seniors. Along with Norton, the trio includes midfielder Jen Gagnon and forward Lizzie Lafferriere.

Hooksett's Kelsey Morrison will also see some time between the lines.

According to Norton, the offensive players have been playing together for awhile, which helped the unit develop cohesion; the players understand the team won't improve if individuals decide to work by themselves.

The Little Green defense will be anchored by sophomore netminder Hannah Dubois, entering her first year of varsity competition after being a goalie on the junior varsity squad last year.

Both Briggs and her players are uncertain whether the offense or defense will be Central's strength. Still, the squad is determined to play with intensity and post a few wins over teams that beat the locals last year.

And if the .04 season was any indication, competing with some of Class L's better teams in .05 isn't an unreachable goal.

Central played Goffstown close last year, but fell apart in the second half.

Against Dover, the Little Green finished the first half in a 0-0 deadlock. In the second half, however, the locals allowed three goals in a 3-0 loss.

That game, in particular, will have some added importance this year as Dover's fans were tough on Central, Norton said.

Nonetheless, Briggs said she'll be satisfied by season's end if her players. skills improved and Central's contests were closer.

"It's always been a big accomplishment to even be competitive with some teams," Briggs said.