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2003 All-Long Island Field Hockey

All-Long Island Field Hockey, 2003 (Photo by Joseph D. Sullivan / )

A look at the field hockey players who stood out on Long Island high school varsity squads in the fall of 2003.

ELLEN AXELSEN
New Hyde Park, Goalie, Senior
Axelsen never wanted to play goalie until her fear of coach Annette McKeough compelled the two-time Hi-Five All-Long Island selection to change positions as an eighth-grader. Axelsen's development instilled a sense of confidence among her teammates as New Hyde Park won its first Nassau title this season. After overcoming a bout with mononucleosis and an 0-4 start, Axelsen allowed two goals in her final 11 games. No goalie played quite like Axelsen. "She was a natural right from the beginning," McKeough said.

LAUREN BELL
Pierson/Shelter Island, Senior, Forward
Bell not only provided leadership on the field in helping Pierson defend its Suffolk Class C title, she instilled a positive attitude before the game as well. Bell often fed teammates with inspirational quotes, exemplifying her outgoing nature. The speedster had 11 goals this season. "She is one of the most intense players I have ever had," longtime Pierson coach Debbie Jayne said. "She is the type of kid you don't want to graduate."

CARISA EYE
Smithtown, Forward, Junior
Eye had 21 goals and 10 assists in leading Smithtown (12-5-2) to its third straight Suffolk Class A final despite missing eight games because of fractured metacarpal in her right hand. The two-time Hi-Five All-Long Island selection had 23 goals last year in leading Smithtown to Suffolk and Long Island Class A titles and had 13 goals as a freshman. She has 15 game-winning goals in her career. "The best part about her," Smithtown Coach Naughton said, "is that she is coming back next year."

EMILY JANIS
East Hampton, Forward, Junior
Janis missed one game, and it was the only one East Hampton lost during the regular season. Janis helped steady a team that saw a preseason coaching change when Carolina Schaefer took over for Trish Notel, who took a maternity leave. Janis helped East Hampton earn the top seed in the Suffolk Class B Tournament, where it lost to Southampton in the final. Janis had eight goals this season.

ADRIENNE KOSLOW
North Shore, Forward, Junior
Quiet yet confident, Koslow helped lead North Shore to the top seed and a semifinal appearance in the Nassau Class B Tournament. Koslow demonstrated her leadership and resiliency when she beat New Hyde Park goalie Ellen Axelsen with less than three minutes left to force overtime. Koslow had 13 goals and two assists this season. "She is very controlled and confident on the field," North Shore coach Christine Graham said. "She didn't fold under pressure."

LAUREN KUCHMAK
Smithtown, Midfielder, Junior
Her sister, Jenny, was a Hi-Five All-Long Island midfielder two years ago. Her teammate Eye was considered the best on Long Island. Yet Kuckmak became distinctive as a steady force in the midfield for Smithtown. When Eye suffered a fractured metacarpal midway through the season, Smithtown still had hope because it still had Kuchmak. She had five goals and 15 assists this season in leading Smithtown to its third straight Suffolk Class A final appearance. "She is very focused on her game because she really commits to it," Naughton said.

JENNA MAIELI