By Jim Lockwood
Staff Writer

Manchester Memorial High School field hockey players are quickly discovering the benefits of learning from a championship-caliber head coach.

Memorial junior midfielder Morgan Ziemba (left) and Goffstown senior midfielder Kaitlin Koffink nearly collide attempting to control the ball in the second half of Goffstown 3-0 triumph. GHS dominated the first half, but midway through the second stanza, the Crusaders came to life - much to the delight of new head coach, John Gatsas. (Jim Lockwood Photo)

Meanwhile, Memorial new mentor, John Gatsas, is excited about the challenge of transitioning from a state power to a team that recorded one win last season.

Right now, the head coach goals are straightforward: Give Memorial program a sense of consistency and direction. Once that happens, Gatsas said the team will win games on a regular basis.

"Winning gets to be contagious after a while," said Gatsas, whose career coaching record at Salem High School was 169- 62-17. "We're taking tiny steps towards our goal of building a winning program."

Gatsas, a Memorial alumnus, said he knew exactly what the job entailed when accepting the position in the offseason.

Since his daughter, Erin, is a senior forward on the team, he became familiar with the program. The Crusaders, Gatsas said, needed stability in the coaching ranks because there were a number of coaching changes over the years.

"If I can give a number of years of consistency, that a big thing," Gatsas said. "With consistency, you get the same kids staying in the program and moving in the right direction."

At the same time, Gatsas said he knew Memorial program had enormous potential.

Gatsas added when he took over at Salem, the program had the same skill level as the '05 Crusaders. With time, the Blue Devils grew to become one of the best field hockey programs in the Granite State.

The year after Gatsas left Salem, the team won the Class L championship. Last fall, Salem advanced to the state finals, but lost to Concord.

One of the challenges Gatsas faces this year is realizing where his athletes rank in skill, while understanding they should continue to improve with hard work.

After each contest, the Crusaders discuss the positives and negatives that occurred on the field.

So far, the head coach said his girls know they must continue to be more aggressive playing the ball and put themselves in position for valuable scoring opportunities.

Already this season, Memorial missed some scoring chances because players were out of position, Gatsas said.

However, in the team second game, it showed signs of improvement on offense and defense, Gatsas added.

Last year against Goffstown, Memorial dropped a lopsided decision to the Grizzlies, said sophomore Gabbie Stanton of Auburn.

On Friday, Sept. 2, at McLaughlin Middle School, the Crusaders played the Grizzlies much tougher in a 3-0 setback. In the season opener, Memorial scored one goal in a loss to Nashua South.

Having one goal after only two contests was an improvement. A year ago, the team had two goals the entire season.

The Crusaders include Auburn Sara Murray and Stanton; Hooksett Jenn Waldecker; plus Caitlin Bannon, Jen Blais, Ali Bodardus, Christina Bourbau, Jacelyn Collins, Danielle Curtis, Jillian Gagne, Erin Gatsas, Rachel Hedge, Melissa Kolenski, Megan McCallister, Brigit Quirk, Krystin Squires, Meghan Steele, Holly Sullivan, Mandy Verville and Morgan Ziemba. "Our program is getting better," said Murray, a sophomore forward. "We know we can win games. Knowing we can win games gives us that momentum."