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All-Long Island Field Hockey

A look at the field hockey players who stood out on Long Island high school varsity squads in the fall of 2002.

NICOLE ARCHAMBAULT
Ward Melville, Senior, Senior
Archambault had nine goals and six assists this season. That was not the most impressive thing, though, about the Ward Melville senior. Archambault played despite battling pneumonia. Trying to take her out of the game was impossible, Ward Melville coach Laurie Fletcher said. She had a never-give-up type of attitude. She always kept her composure and gave it everything she had. Fletcher dubbed Archambault the brains of Ward Melville with her acute awareness on penalty corners. It was Archambault who applied a reverse stick stop on a penalty corner to set up Kaitlin Johnsons overtime blast in Ward Melvilles 2-1 win over Smithtown on Oct. 17. Archambault, an All-Suffolk selection, inspired Ward Melville to reach the Suffolk Class A semifinals. She had a lot of experience, Fletcher said, and had no problem finding the cage.

ELLEN AXELSEN
New Hyde Park, Goalkeeper, Junior
Axelsen defended her cage like the Secret Service guards the President, taking every goal she allowed personally. She was flexible and fearless, sprawling throughout the crease to stop anything that came her way. She has a competitive spirit, coach Annette McKeough said. Even in practice, she has battles with the other kids. She strives to be the best. Axelsen made 15 saves in the semifinal, and 11 in the final, to lead New Hyde Park to its first Nassau title game in program history, and recorded eight shutouts. Manhasset edged New Hyde Park, 3-2 in overtime, to win the Class B championship. The best news for New Hyde Park: Axelsen is coming back next year. She changes our strategy, McKeough said. We would love to get into strokes with somebody. I will never have someone standing back with the goalkeeper. I could have all my defense on the forward line.

KRYSTA CARDINALE
Massapequa, Midfielder, Senior
Massapequa coach Tisha Werner expected Cardinale to improve this season. What she didnt expect Cardinale to seemingly evolve into is a different player. Cardinale caught Werners eye in August when she demonstrated improved stick skills at the first practice. It was immediate, Werner said. She consistently dedicated herself to improving as an athlete. She did certain things that we didnt know she could do, and we were thrilled. The All-Nassau midfielder scored three goals this season, and none loomed larger than when she converted a penalty stroke to break a tie at 1 in Massapequas semifinal win over defending champ Port Washington in the Nassau Class A final. She really helped the team come together, Werner said. She made sure everyone was ready to play as a team, and was an intricate part of our success.

KAITLIN DANIELS
Pierson/Shelter Island, Goalkeeper, Senior
Coach Debbie Jayne boasted two quality goalkeepers in Kaitlin Daniels and Lauren Comber. They split time throughout the regular season, but it was Daniels who emerged in the playoffs. She made 10 saves against Port Jefferson and four against Friends Academy in shutouts as Pierson advanced to the state Class C Final Four. Daniels had a hand -- and foot -- in each of Pierson's eight shutouts up through the Southeast Regional final. Daniels played with poise and passion as she led a youthful team to the Long Island championship after it moved up from Class D this season. She is very competitive, Jayne said. She just has a wealth of knowledge, and really understands how to play the position. Its a maturity factor. The team was very relaxed when she was in the goal.

CARISA EYE
Smithtown, Forward, Sophomore
Eye persevered through pain and punishment. Shots and sticks to the face, bumps and bruises and double and triple teams could not stop Eye. She played hockey on grass, but danced through defenses like she was playing on ice. Eye was often the smallest player on the field, but directed her teammates with confidence and leadership. Eye made Smithtown into a believer by scoring 23 goals as the program took its first Suffolk and Long Island championships. She smacked in the winning goals in overtime against East Islip and Garden City. She is the toughest kid I have ever coached, Smithtown coach Ann Naughton said. She plays with determination and a will to win, and will do whatever it takes.

MICHELLE FOX
Baldwin, Goalkeeper, Senior
Fox makes saves with a purpose. Fox didnt just stop the ball from going into the cage, she used a kick save as an outlet pass. Fox played a stabilizing role on a young team with a first-year coach. She recorded four shutouts this year to lead Baldwin to the Class A playoffs. She made a season-high 19 saves in a 1-0 semifinal loss to eventual Nassau champ Garden City. Fox played without trepidation, sprawling and diving across the crease. Her size and speed gave forwards almost no angles to shoot. Fox is the lone returning All-Long Island selection. She is really aware of the commitment and dedication it takes to be a leader, Baldwin coach Michele Hilton said. She has a great attitude.

DONI-MELISSA JANTZEN