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BY TOM ALLEGRA She will never play in front of crowds as large as those attending Division I powerhouses, but Katherine Hock is helping Division II women's lacrosse keep a high profile. The all-time leading scorer for defending national champion Adelphi, Hock is one of two D-II players on the watch list for the Tewaaraton Award annually presented to the nation's top player. Hock never dreamed of earning such recognition during her years of first-round playoff exits at Mineola High School from 1998-2001. "When I was in high school, you'd always see these kids who won national championships with their rings," the 5-5 senior attack said, "and back then, it didn't seem possible." A three-time collegiate All-American, Hock has made anything seem possible at Adelphi. Not only has she led the Panthers in scoring each of the past three seasons, but she scored the winning goal in Adelphi's 12-11, national title game win over West Chester (Pa.) last spring. Adelphi coach Jill Lessne said Hock's dominance should not go overlooked. Stonehill's Erin Acone (D-II), the College of New Jersey's Lauren Dougher (III), Middlebury's Elizabeth Renehan (III) and Colorado College's Helen Sneath (III) are the only other non-Division I players on the 32-woman list. "When you take all of her qualities and you lump them all together, I think she's a fine candidate," Lessne said. "I think it would let athletes from the other divisions strive for the same thing as Katherine, knowing that the award wasn't just handed to someone because they were a Division I player." Hock was mainly a goal-scoring threat as a freshman, when she had a school-record 53. But roster additions such as twin sophomores Diana and Lauren Lopez have helped her assume a feeder role. Hock had 20 assists in '04, six more than her first two years combined. Through four games this year, Hock (19 points) ranks third on the team in points behind Dawn Anselmin (21) and Lauren Lopez (20). "You can't just face-guard Katherine anymore," Lessne said, "because if you do, we have six other girls who are ready to take a shot." Hock, who is averaging four goals per game, said: "I think that's one of our strengths." Adelphi's proximity to home isn't always a strength in terms of attracting local athletes. But it was for Hock, who prefers having her parents, James and Susan, come to her games. Another drawing point for the studious Hock was Adelphi's five-year master's program. Hock, who has a 3.551 GPA in psychology, expects to receive her master's in elementary education by next May. "I love Division II," Hock said. "It's just the all-around academics, the environment, the girls, everything." Hock said a main reason she chose not to play D-I is she didn't want to go unnoticed. For No. 1 Adelphi (4-0), she has become one of the nation's most visible players. "We were always the underdogs the past three years, and now we're the team that everyone's trying to beat," Hock said. "It's just a completely different ballgame." Lessne is hoping her first season without Hock in uniform won't be a different ballgame for Adelphi. But at least she knows Hock will still be on the practice fields next spring, albeit in a different capacity. "Her being my first real college recruit, she is in my eyes irreplaceable," Lessne said. "So hopefully, she can inspire her teammates to have the success that she had, both academically and athletically, as an assistant coach next year." STATLINES Katherine Hock is Adelphi's all-time leading scorer, with 204 career points. Team Pts/ National Copyright (c) 2005, Newsday, Inc. |
