The fall sports season is under way for the athletes at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, with all the teams other than football having played their opening games. Both varsity field hockey and boys' soccer are looking to repeat their tournament runs of last year - and with a strong cadre of upperclassmen returning to each, they are positioned to do just that.

On the hockey field, last year head coach Lisa Knight had to battle appendicitis at the outset of the season, and while she ended up losing her appendix and was restricted from some of the early practices, her team went on to a 12-5-2 record and a berth in the state tournament.

This year, it's a nasty bout of tonsillitis that has Coach Knight hoarse and looking at another operation. How will the team end up this year?

"We're a pretty darn good team," she conceded during a break from a recent practice. "I expect these girls to make the tournament again."

Considering her track record, and the fact that she has a strong nucleus of returning players, it seems like a fairly accurate prediction. At 1-1 on the young season (with an impressive win at Division I powerhouse Dennis-Yarmouth on Thursday), Coach Knight's squad looks to be a major force this year. The team features a host of seniors who are all capable of scoring, a solid defense and an experienced goal tender minding the net.

"But it's really about chemistry, regardless of who comes out to play," she said. "Last year we were very good, and if we have the same type of teamwork and the girls continue to improve every day like they have been, we'll be good again. Winning isn't a score, it's an attitude, and right now we've got it."

A talented and experienced crop of seniors returns to lead the team. Brielle Leonard, Kathryn Debettencourt and goal tender Melanie Dickson are all starting their third year on the varsity squad, and Ashley Rebello is starting her fourth. Jen Murphy, Ali Carr and Katie Keppler also return to starting positions. This year's group makes up a potent offensive force.

"Everyone on this team can score," she said. "Ashley, Kathryn, Katie, Meghan Rose and Nina Butler - they're all threats. They will be fun to watch.

"But there is plenty of youth on this team, too," Coach Knight added. "I am carrying three freshmen who are seeing lots of playing time. It's a strong mix."

The team lost its opener to Dighton-Rehobeth, 1-0, despite dominating most of the game. Lack of scoring opportunities contributed to the loss. But the team rebounded Thursday, beating a strong Dennis-Yarmouth team, 2-1 on their field.

"It was a huge win," she said. "It's the first time we have beaten them."

It's a team Coach Knight will have to get used to: the field hockey team joins Dennis-Yarmouth's South Coast Conference next fall.

Tonsillitis seems only appropriate for a coach who is known for her vocal encouragement. Pacing and shouting from the sidelines, Coach Knight has earned a reputation for her intensity as well as success. Last November, she was honored with the Massachusetts Women in Athletics Distinguished Service Award for 2004, an award given annually by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA).

"Last year it was the appendix, this year the tonsils," she said. "What next?"

Perhaps another run for the tournament championship?

Boys' Soccer

It wasn't hard to figure out the big question for boys' soccer head coach Bob Hammond as he began the new season: How do you replace the 28 goals scored by Lucas Brewer last year?

"That's a tough void to fill," Coach Hammond said with a laugh before yesterday's game against Sandwich. "But I don't have any doubt that these guys will step up. They want to work and achieve their goals."

Brewer's record-setting season last fall certainly will endure as one of the finest in school history, but now that the new season has arrived it is time to assess the road ahead. The team has gotten off to a dazzling start, beating two strong opponents in Nauset and Dennis-Yarmouth before falling to a tough Sandwich team yesterday.

Like the field hockey team, Coach Hammond's squad is coming off a strong year in which the team made the playoffs but were defeated in the first round. After a 13-6 season, the boys lost to Mansfield to end their season.

This year's group features a core of junior attackers led by Antulio Neto, Ben Madeiras, Dave Campbell and Ben Post. Neto has scored four goals already, and Madeiras has scored two. Seniors Stephen Lampart, Duncan Pickard and J.T. Dooley also will see a lot of playing time.

"Antulio is going to be dangerous all the time," Coach Hammond said. "I think there will be a good mix of scoring this year."

Injuries have already set the team back. Senior striker Alex Parker is out for the season with a torn ACL, and juniors Adam Herman and Harold Pilskain, also out with knee injuries, hope to return sometime later in the season.

"Alex was a big loss because he was a forward with a lot of speed and was only getting stronger as a player," the coach said. "But the guys who are filling in have responded very well."

Zach Sylvia takes over Herman's spot at sweeper, while sophomore Nico Cuba fills in another hole left by a departing senior: he takes over as goaltender for Finn Briggs.

"The team is really focused and they are expecting a lot in the present," Coach Hammond said of his young team. "But as always, you just never know."

The team meets its next big challenge when it travels to take on New Bedford on Thursday.