From the beginning of the season, C. Milton Wright girls lacrosse coach Kathy Breymaier knew something was different about this year's team.
A chemistry teacher, Breymaier spotted the right mix of players and personalities early on. The Mustangs went on to a 14-1 season that came complete with the Harford County championship and a No. 12 ranking in The Baltimore Sun's girls lacrosse poll.
Breymaier, The Baltimore Sun's Harford County Coach of the Year, also had the Harford County Player of the Year on her roster in outstanding senior midfielder Julie Jakum, who led the county in scoring.
The Mustangs' season came to a disappointing end a week ago with a heart-breaking, 15-14 loss to South Carroll in a state Class 3A-4A semifinal at Catonsville Community College. Still, it was the first appearance in the final four for the Mustangs since the official state tournament began four years ago.
For Breymaier, who returned nine starters, including eight seniors, the formula for success is simple.
"No. 1, I think people win because they have natural athletes," said the North Harford and Towson State graduate. "I don't know how much coaching has to do with it. I had a lot of very natural athletes and a lot of speed. I try to get the fastest kids out for lacrosse. If they're athletes and they're fast, they can learn to play lacrosse -- that's my philosophy."
Two of the best examples of Breymaier's philosophy this season were new defense wings Becky Gerhardt and Amanda Fouts, who fit in with the returning talent. Gerhardt, a freshman, and Fouts, a junior convert from the track team, used speed and athletic ability to hold their own against more experienced opponents.
But that team chemistry might have been even more important than the good mix of veteran and up-and-coming talent.
"They always supported each other," said Breymaier. "They were never jealous and that's what you need to have a winning team. Nobody here is a fame hog. Julie Jakum, for all the publicity that she's gotten, re
mains very modest and the other team members respect that."
Jakum, however, was the standout on this team.
Making tremendous strides over last year, Jakum became more aggressive and determined. Playing last summer in the Howard County Heroes League helped Jakum improve her game this spring.
A versatile center, Jakum led Harford County in scoring with 70 goals and contributed 16 assists. She also had 99 ground balls and interceptions and controlled 56 draws.
"She's the perfect center because her defense is as good as her offense, maybe better," said Breymaier.
This weekend, Jakum is playing on the South I schoolgirl team at the United States Women's Lacrosse Association National Tournament in Ohio.
Three weeks ago, she was selected as one of the top 20 players from among 125 candidates from Baltimore, Washington and Virginia.
Also The Baltimore Sun's Harford County Player of the Year in field hockey, Jakum will attend the University of Virginia next fall.
1993 HARFORD COUNTY GIRLS LACROSSE TEAM
Player of the Year: Julie Jakum, C. Milton Wright
Coach of the Year: Kathy Breymaier, C. Milton Wright
FIRST TEAM
Name .. .. .. .. .. School .. .. .. .. Year .. .. .. Position
Daina Burton .. ... Fallston .. .. ... Junior .... ... Attack
Krystin Porcella .. John Carroll .. .. Junior .. .. .. Attack
Lisa Thomas .. .. ..Bel Air .. .. .. .. Senior .. .. . Attack
Julie Jakum .. .. .C. Milton Wright ... Senior .. .. Midfield
Cindy Jenkins .. . Fallston .. .. .. .. Senior .. .. Midfield
Beanie Lund .. .. .John Carroll .. .. . Junior .. .. Midfield
Amanda McCulloch .. C. Milton Wright... Senior .. .. Midfield
Sara Pokrywka .. .. C. Milton Wright .. Senior .. .. Midfield
Melissa Schreiber ..North Harford .. .. Senior .. .. Midfield
Jenny Clark .. .. .. Fallston .. .. ... Senior . .. . Defense
Lisa Fotia .. .. .. Edgewood .. .. .. . Junior . .. . Defense
.Debbie Keiser .. ..C. Milton Wright .. Senior ... .. Defense
Julie Smith .. ... C. Milton Wright ... Senior .. ... Defense
Kristin Archer .. .. North Harford .. ..Senior .. .. . Goalie
SECOND TEAM
Name .. .. .. .. .. School .. .... .. Year .. .. .. Position
Julie Haire .. .. . Fallston .. .. ... Junior .. .. .. Attack
Sarah Loper .. .. . Aberdeen .. .. ... Senior .. .. .. Attack
Chrissy Pardew .. . North Harford .. ..Senior .. .. .. Attack
Crystal Carr .. .. .Joppatowne .. .. ..Senior .. .. .Midfield
Carrie Stevenson .. John Carroll .. .. Senior .. .. .Midfield
Jenny Weber .. .. . Fallston .. .. .. Sophomore .. ..Midfield
Anne West .. .. ... Fallston .. .. .. Freshman .. .. Midfield
Amy Dean ... .. .. John Carroll .. .. Senior .. .. .. Defense
Krista Doyle .. .. North Harford .. ..Senior .. .. .. Defense
Katie Magee .. ... Aberdeen .. .. .. .Senior .. .. .. Defense
Kristy Metz .. ... John Carroll .. .. Senior .. .. .. Defense
Carmen Kinard .. . C. Milton Wright . Senior .. .. .. .Goalie
