Greenport/Southold/Shelter Island solid

No longer are they known as that combo squad way out East with the most syllables in their team name . . . Actually, they still are. But now add "good" to any description of Greenport/Southold/Shelter Island field hockey.

At 6-3, Greenport/Southold/Shelter Island already matched last season's win total, which had been its most in many years. In 2009, they had four wins and in the seasons before that, coach Todd Gulluscio said, "there were some zeroes." Their growth has been remarkable.

But first thing's first:

No, the team doesn't shorten or abbreviate its name. It's fine with "Greenport/Southold/Shelter Island" as it represents its roster: 11 players from Greenport, three Southold and two Shelter Island. The Porters, Settlers and Indians -- when forged together like Voltron -- nicknamed themselves the Clippers.

"We draw from three schools but it's a challenge coming up with enough kids to field a team," said Gulluscio, a seventh-year coach and Greenport's athletic director. "Then there's the coordination of combining them."

Chemistry isn't an issue, defender Erin Creedon said, but "we don't have lots of subs, so a lot of us play the whole game."

The Clippers have thrived regardless. They've held their own in a competitive Division III -- half composed of Class B schools -- and enjoyed wins over some of the teams that used to blow them out. The difference, the coach said, is an increased focus and commitment from a group determined to build on each season.

Creedon, goalie Alexis Reed, midfielder Lauren Ficurilli and forward Sarah Manfredi headline a roster that features 10 seniors. Optimism for 2012 and beyond comes from freshman Sarah Tuthill, the leading scorer (five goals).

"We came into this season with a goal of making the playoffs," Creedon said. "We want that so badly. It would be the icing on the cake."