Thomas’ speed aids North field hockey

Knights remain unbeaten with win over South

By: Justin Feil
   Before this fall, Holland Thomas made her mark at West Windsor-Plainsboro High North on the track.
   Last spring, she blazed to a medal in the 100 hurdles at the Meet of Champions. Now this fall, she is doing her part to push the Knights field hockey team to its best finish in states.
   Maybe that’s how she came to be voted as the WW-P North senior class’s best female athlete.
   "She is a very aggressive, fast player," said North field hockey coach Shannon Maruca. "That’s what you need on the wing. She’s also sending the crosses too. She’s enjoying it now. She’s really enjoying the end of the season. She’s playing really well."
   Thomas kept up her solid play as the Knights cruised to a 4-0 win over rival WW-P South on Wednesday. Thomas had a goal and an assist as WW-P North improved to 12-0 going into Thursday’s scheduled regular-season finale against Hamilton. Thirteen, in this case, would not be unlucky.
   "You never expect that you’re going to be this good," Thomas said. "I didn’t expect we’d be this good. It was pretty huge because it is South. We won and we’re 12-0. It’s a big number."
   The Knights are growing accustomed to putting up some big numbers even as they begin to gear up for the traditionally tighter Mercer County Tournament and state tournament. Thomas’ increased productivity this season has helped make a potent offense even tougher to stop.
   "She was actually subbing in the beginning," Maruca said. "I have a few wings that are sharing time. She hasn’t been playing a lot this year. It was after the Steinert game, she really was just playing so well on wing, carrying the ball down the sideline, and crossing it, that she’s been playing more. She’s using her speed. You can’t catch her."
   Last year, Thomas did not have a goal or an assist for the Knights. She has totaled three goals and two assists this year. Those numbers aren’t bad for Thomas’ second love.
   "I’m not a big field hockey girl," Thomas said. "But my team, they make me happy. I’ll play for them any day."
   Thomas is hoping those days extend a little into the winter track season, though she continues to train for her primary sport even in the midst of helping the Knights field hockey team clear its final regular-season hurdles. A rivalry match-up with the Pirates was one game that had the makings for a potential upset.
   "We were really excited for this game," Thomas said. "Everyone was pumped up for this game. There were more people there than usual. When we were warming up, it seemed a little dead. But once the game got started, we got it going. We knew we were going to beat them."
   WW-P North’s confidence has continued to grow from the beginning of the year. The Knights felt like they had the makings for a good team this season.
   "I didn’t think this was going to be our best year," Maruca said. "I thought we were going to be good. I didn’t know we’d be where we are now, as far as being undefeated. We did bring a lot of offensive girls back. They’ve been working together the last three or four years. Coming in with new goalkeeper and new defense, we’ve been fine. Melanie (Zapantis) is a great goalie. She’s great under pressure. She made some good saves, even though it’s only been a few she’s had to face. She has 10 shutouts for us.
   "The girls don’t even realize it. The girls aren’t cocky. They’re out there playing hard and they want to win. We’re taking it game by game. Now they’re realizing where they are and how they got there."
   For Thomas, it’s been an especially exciting ride. She missed two games this year due to a suspension, but since then has performed better than ever. Her ability to bring the ball down the sideline in a hurry makes her valuable to the offense.
   "I think I got a little more confident about my skills," she said. " I used to take it and every once in a while got it going. Now it happens more. I’ve picked it up."
   Thomas seems to be picking up more and more each game as she heads toward the close of her field hockey career. She credits some of her development to an increase in playing time.
   "When you play a lot, it gives you confidence you’re playing well," Thomas said. "If you get pulled out by the coach, she’ll tell you what you’re doing wrong. You can try to fix your mistakes and do better every time you go in."
   And none of the Knights have had to do it alone this year. From Zapantis in the back keeping goal and an experienced forward line, WW-P North has balance to it. Nobody knows that better now than the Pirates, who never could have expected to lose by four goals. The Knights also got goals from Meghan Hunter, Megan Pisani and Koko Kumar.
   "We really played extremely well," Maruca said. "It was because everybody played well. It wasn’t just my offensive line or my midfield. Everybody played well. It was a big rival. Everyone was excited to play. We had really good shots, and good saves. My midfield played really well. Everybody just contributed.
   "Megan Pisani probably played one of the best games she has all season. She was moving to the ball nicely, carrying it, taking nice shots. We’ve realized where we are. We’ve gone undefeated and won 12 games straight. They’re realizing what they accomplished."
   They may realize what they’ve done in the regular season, but the depth to which they have dominated opponents is not easy to fathom. And it’s just a starting point for the Knights as they prepare for tournament time.
   "Honestly I think it hasn’t sunken in," Maruca said. "We’re winning games with a pretty good spread in field hockey. We have a really great offense this year. We also have a great goalie. She’s had two goals scored against her. We’re strong offensively and defensively, even though we haven’t been really tested on defense."
   Those tests figure to come in states. And the Knights are looking forward to that, especially Thomas, who has seen the best the state has to offer in track and is now hoping to help WW-P North compete with the best in field hockey.
   "It makes me happy," she said. "In track, it’s usually more individual. I have to go places as an individual. This is nice because I get to go with my whole team. It’s fun. I don’t mind being an individual, but it gets a little lonely. It’s worth it in the end. It’s fun being there with the whole team."