The allegations were true: Her team used an artificial-turf field instead of the traditional grass surface.

"There is not such a negative connotation about it now," Pfluger said. "But in my early years of coaching, teams didn't want to play on the turf because they weren't used to it."

Pfluger has been at College of New Jersey for 18 years. She also spent a brief stint at Montclair State University, which had an artificial-turf field.

In the last 10 years, there has been a trend toward artificial turf, even in Division III. Although turf is more prominent in Division I, the reasons for the shift in all divisions are the same: finesse, speed and predictability.

"All the European games are played on turf, and numerous Division I programs have not played on anything except turf for many years. That says something about the acceptance of turf," Pfluger said. "So, I'm happy that more Division III schools are making the commitment to be on turf. It really helps the fans to appreciate our game and makes it more exciting to watch."

Although the ratio of grass to artificial turf fields isn't available, the anecdotal evidence of the trend exists. The defending Division III national champions from State University College at Cortland have turf for the first time this year, and so does Wellesley College. William Smith College made the jump last year. Cynthia Wetmore, the head field hockey coach at Cortland State, said 11 of the teams on her 17-game schedule have turf.

"We were fortunate even when we were on grass to play a number of games on turf," said William Smith coach Sally Scatton. "Of our eight conference schools, seven of them have turf, and we were one of the last two. We were familiar with it. It is a faster game, and we need to be quicker with better stick skills."

Although the costs for a turf field are significant up front, the maintenance for the facility is greatly reduced.

"We really like it because it is so weather conducive," said Sue Landau, head field hockey coach at Wellesley. "Any cold or wet weather can really affect the grass. The texture and length of the grass really make a difference in how the ball moves. It's a relief to know that if the maintenance can't be done for a few days because of the weather that it won't change the game."

A different game on grass

Home-field advantage in most situations is more about familiarity, travel and fans than it is a statement about the facility. A grass field in field hockey could mean more, though.

"The game is being played more and more on turf, and I don't think a lot of people realize why it is important," said Andy Whitcomb, head field hockey coach at Mount Holyoke College. "It is difficult with a grass field because you get pockets of dirt and burnt grass and divots. When the ball hits those spots, it rises. It makes a bigger difference in field hockey than it does in soccer or lacrosse. It can be a real nemesis to the way we want to play the game."

A grass field can lead to surprises in the passing game, generally leading to a slower game overall.

"There are some really great grass fields out there, like Mary Washington College," Wetmore said. "They're the exception, though. You can't execute the same on grass. Your offense and your corners are better -- the ball travels so much farther and you can play through the field. The game is really so much faster and so much more exciting. It is possible to have a passing game that goes from one end of the field to the other."

Perhaps the greatest change in the game beyond the speed, though, is the ability for teams to execute and score on corner attempts.

Since players must hit the ball harder to carry on the grass and be more alert when receiving passes that might bound unexpectedly on a grass field, there is an adjustment period from game to game as teams change surfaces.

"I think it is tougher for a turf team to acclimate itself to a grass field than for a grass team to go to turf," said Whitcomb, who has a grass field. "As far as our schedule goes, we have half of our games on turf and half on grass. We're close to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and we try to get on their field before a turf game, when the schedules allow, to help adjust."

Some coaches argue that practicing regularly on the turf surface is more conducive to better stick skills and passing.

"As far as strategy, we have to be active," Wetmore said. "We've been practicing the last three or four years in our field house with hardwood floors. It has done a lot to help us with the drag-push and stick stops on corners. We've tried to develop on that surface to work on turf skills."

Title ground

As more teams make the transition to turf, the question will become whether the change from one surface to the next advantages one surface over the other in championship play.

Wetmore's Cortland State team is proof that a grass team can still win the championship, although she said such a team must have access to turf for practice.

It is not a requirement for a championship host at any division level to have turf. Three finals sites have been recommended to the Division III Championships Committee for approval, and not all the sites have turf.

"In the National Field Hockey Coaches Association meeting when we were pushing to have a set site for the championship, I was especially concerned that the NCAA would probably always choose turf sites," said Carla Gasbarra, head field hockey coach at DePauw University. "I was concerned because it puts us at such a disadvantage since we don't see it as much."

According to Gasbarra, the turf trend isn't as apparent in the Midwest, since Wittenberg University is the only institution in the area with an artificial field. That could be a disadvantage in a championship played on turf.

"In scheduling, I do try to get on turf so we will have some experience should we get a bid," Gasbarra said. "We play Eastern Mennonite University, which has a sand-based turf, which is good experience on a surface the team would see at that (championship) level."

Pfluger, who was exposed to turf by her field hockey coach Melissa Magee, remembers playing in the first Division III field hockey championship that was played on turf at Westfield, Massachusetts, in 1981.

"To prepare for the game, we practiced on a tennis court and on black top. It was never a negative for us; we were excited to do it."

The preparation resulted in the first of nine NCAA titles for The College of New Jersey.

"It's a beautiful game on turf," Pfluger said.

There don't seem to be any purists arguing about that now.