Phillips, who recently gave an oral commitment to play field hockey for Drexel next year, has a personal stake in finding a cure. The 17-year-old was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 12.

"I want to go into nursing," Phillips said of her planned studies at Drexel. "Eventually, I'd like to become a diabetes educator."

Hatters coach Krista Greene said Phillips is diligent about taking care of her diabetes. Phillips tells her when she needs a break to get a shot of sugar from a drink.

"I probably check my blood sugar 10 times a day," said the 5-foot-1 Phillips with a chuckle. She wears an insulin pump.

Although Phillips may be small in stature, she more than makes up for it with hustle and dedication, according to Greene. Greene said that of Phillips' more than 170 saves for the 9-6-1 Hatters, many have been of the spectacular variety.

"I've worked on my jumping ability," said Phillips in explaining how she gets to balls out of her normal reach.

Phillips, who didn't begin playing field hockey until ninth grade, lost a tough 3-2 overtime decision Oct. 2 to Central Bucks South on a penalty stroke. It came after a stretch of seven games in which the Hatters won six and tied Central Bucks West.

"My worst game was against [C.B. South] the first time," said Phillips of a 4-2 loss. "One of best was [the tie] against [C.B.] West." She had more than 20 saves in that game.

Lever leads SOL

Lever had 38 points on 15 goals and eight assists through Wednesday for the once-beaten Trojans. Wissahickon has clinched the American Conference crown.

Deanna DiCroce of Central Bucks West and Caroline Mountney of Springfield (Montgomery County) are next with 30 points each. DeCroce has 13 goals and four assists, while Mountney has 12 goals and six assists.

Big test ahead

Among Episcopal's wins is a key 2-0 decision over No. 7-ranked Germantown Academy on Sept. 24. Neither Powers nor Ivory is surprised at their team's play. Besides the loss to the Irish, Episcopal's losses have been to Haverford High and Hill School. The latter tied Notre Dame, 1-1.

"We've been playing very well together. We're a versatile team," Powers said. "We've been able to switch people around - switch our backs to midfield and our midfield to forward - when needed."

"The win over GA was a good one," added Ivory. "It showed we have good chemistry."

Crandall cited

Crandall helped lead the Patriots to a 2002 PIAA Class AAA championship before going off to Wake Forest. A member of the U.S. National team, she played in the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer.

The Inquirer TOP 10

Field Hockey

Records through Monday. Last week's ranking is in parentheses.