Thursday, August 30, 2001
Field hockey preview
Indian Hill looks to Buddhev to return to state
By Dave Schutte
Enquirer contributor
Finding the words to describe Amita Buddhev wasn't easy for Mary Kovach, Indian Hill's field hockey coach. “On the field, Amita's like a fly on your face,” Kovach said of the Braves' senior defensive specialist. “She's all over you all the time.”
Amita Buddhev of Indian Hill is one of Ohio's best defensive players.
(Steven M.Herppich photo)
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Considered one of the best defensive players in Ohio, Buddhev heads a group of 14 returning seniors from last year's state runner-up team that lost to Columbus Academy 2-0 in the championship game.
“Amita has an uncanny way of getting the ball off an opponent's stick,” Kovach said.
“She's so good that her teammates don't like going against her in practice. Although she's very quiet, she does a good job leading the defense.”
Buddhev's success hasn't come by chance. She attended camps during the summer and worked hard in the gym with teammates during the offseason.
Without Buddhev, Kovach probably couldn't go with the unique 4-3-2-1 formation that puts added pressure on the goalie, sweeper and two backs.
Most teams use a 4-2-3-1, which has five players, including the goalie, in defensive roles and only six in the attack mode.
“We can do this because the defense is so strong,” Kovach said. “Our goalies are new (Meg O'Brien and Sonya Khan), but Amita, Anne Parry and Torrie Ede (sweeper) are returning starters and seniors.”
Another key player is Katie Pratt, a senior midfielder who is blessed with good speed and plays an important role on both offense and defense.
“Katie is all over the field,” Kovach said. “She is a good offensive player but is so quick that she often gets back to play defense.”
Also at midfield are returning seniors Sara Little and Allison White. Christina Zannoti and Kristin Cooke are the center forwards, and Allison Baylis and Lisa Thoman are at the wing positions.
Along with Indian Hill, Ursuline, Summit Country Day, Mount Notre Dame, St. Ursula and Talawanda have field hockey teams; they formed the Cincinnati Hills/Oxford Field Hockey League.
Until Saturday's league scrimmage, Kovach was confident the Braves could make a run at the state championship because of the team's 14 seniors.
“(The) scrimmage was an eye opener,” Kovach said. “It wasn't the same team I saw in practices, and no one played up to their ability. The girls told me not to worry because it was just an off day.”
Field hockey rules have been altered the past few years to make it a more offensive game. There is no offsides as in soccer, allowing offensive players to remain back by the goalie.
“These are what we call cherry pickers,” Kovach said. “They can obstruct the goalie, which puts her in a bad position. The rules changes were designed so the sport would draw more fans.”
Kovach was impressed with Mount Notre Dame and St. Ursula during the scrimmage.
“This is St. Ursula's fourth season, and they were trampled on in the beginning,” Kovach said. “They scored on everybody during the scrimmage, and Mount Notre Dame also looked great.”
The season began this week and concludes with the state tournament Nov.2-3 at Ohio Wesleyan University.
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