Koufakis, Parisi, Manhasset back on track

The Manhasset field hockey team is back on track, and the Indians proved as much Friday night with a 2-0 win over Clarke.

"We were kind of nervous coming in because they have such a good record," Manhasset defender Olivia Parisi admitted.

Clarke (8-2-3) had only suffered its first loss to Garden City, 2-1, Monday. So there was reason for some trepidation. But Emily Koufakis scored off a cross from Caroline Keogh 9:52 in, Jackie Bruno added a goal with 11:05 remaining. Two goals was plenty for the Indians' stifling defense.

"If we keep playing the way we are," Koufakis said, "we'll go far."

Perhaps some of that ol' Manhasset swagger is coming back.

Last year, the Indians fell short of the Nassau Class B final for only the second time since 1997. With Garden City in its conference and class, North Shore coming off a run to the final, and Cold Spring Harbor's emergence as a power, it seemed Manhasset was being nudged off the pedestal. Add to it, the Indians graduated more than half their starting lineup ("We've never lost that many key players at once," coach Steve Sproul said) and they started the season down four players, who were out with illness. Then September's three-game losing streak -- with defeats to Garden City and Cold Spring Harbor -- gave credence to a perceived decline.

But they have since bounced back. Manhasset has won eight straight (allowing two goals in those contests) and is 10-3, back in the mix with its rivals.

"Entering the playoffs, this is when you want to be at your best," Sproul said. "There were probably some naysayers, but it's happening . . . We're confident we can get back [to the final]."