FIELD HOCKEY PREVIEW : Tradition Dictates That Serra Is Once Again Team to Beat

There are no Woodens, Alcindors or Waltons affiliated with the Serra High School field hockey program, but you should get no argument if you compare Serra field hockey in the 1970s and ‘80s with Bruin basketball in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Serra won its eighth section title in nine years in 1987, bouncing back after finishing second to Fallbrook the previous season. League championships have become almost an afterthought; Serra, which moved from the City Western League to the City Eastern four years ago, has won nine consecutive league titles.

And that’s not all. Look at the San Diego Section record book, and you might think you’re reading Serra’s. Serra holds county records for most goals in a game (14 in 1985), most goals in a season (171 in 1984), most shutouts in a season (20 in 1980) and fewest goals allowed in a season (just 1 in 1983). Oh, one other thing: as the 1988 season opens, Serra has a 105-game league winning streak.

Almost automatically, Serra slips into position as the favorite despite the fact that Coach Laurie Berger’s team lost eight seniors from last year.

“Last year’s team was pretty exceptional,” Berger said. “It was the best I ever coached. We had at least four kids who are now playing college field hockey.”

The returners are led by senior left wing Julia Taylor, who had 17 goals and 15 assists and was an all-San Diego Section pick last year. Also back is junior forward Etheline Mendoza, who had 14 goals and 15 assists.

“Serra is the team to beat,” said Tracy Paul, San Pasqual’s coach. “I’ve seen them twice this year, and they’re really fast.”

But why Serra every year?

“There’s a lot of mystique to Serra,” Paul said. “I’ve seen teams lose a game to them before they ever play. They’ve got a tradition, and the girls are extremely dedicated.”

Mira Mesa, fourth in the San Diego Section playoffs in each of the past two years, may provide the most competition for Serra within the City Eastern League. Two all-section players return: senior link Janel Wing and senior center-halfback Kristen Logan.

The Bishop’s School returns just two starters from last year’s City Western championship team, including senior forward Ruth Voorhies, who traveled to New Zealand with the North County All-Stars this summer, and senior center-halfback Shannon Bogle, who was first-team all-league.

In the North County Conference, San Pasqual, last year’s section runner-up, has standout Sandy Fu.

Fallbrook, 15-1 overall last year and 12-0 in the North County Conference, will be led by goalkeeper Shannon Small.

But the surprise in North County may be second-year Rancho Buena Vista, which returns everyone from last year’s 5-12 team, including junior forward Venus Moll.