GOALTENDER'S GOAL IS A MEDAL : VANO INSISTS THAT STARTING DOESN'T MATTER.

Byline: Dave Shelburne Daily News Staff Writer

Tom Vano and his U.S. Olympic field hockey teammates have the advantage of playing at home in this month's Games.

But will their sport enjoy the same home-field advantage?

Abroad, field hockey has made such celebrities of the U.S. national team that Vano - a 25-year-old goaltender from Simi Valley - has been besieged with requests for autographs in India, has shaken hands with Fidel Casto in Cuba and has dined with the king and queen of Malaysia.

Back in the United States, he finds himself explaining that field hockey players don't wear ice skates.

``In America,'' Vano said, ``field hockey for men is not that big. But in some countries, it's like a religion.''

He and his Olympic teammates will try to convert a few more American fans to their sport in hot and humid Atlanta, where the conditioning of the American team could be an important factor.

``We'll try to be the most physically fit team there,'' said Vano, who believes the U.S. team will have more going for it than staying power.

``The unity of our team is such a bond,'' he said. ``That's what makes us so tough.''

Olympic assistant coach Jeff Woods adds unselfishness to the list of American attributes and said Vano has shown that quality throughout his competition with Steve Wagner to be starting goaltender.

Both men have had their turns surging in that competition, and although it is not certain who will start in the Olympics, Vano said that's not important.

``What's important is the team,'' he said.

``Tom is a real team player,'' Woods said. ``He's not getting as much playing time as he wants, but he's handling it real well.''

Vano made the most of one opportunity before some of the world's most appreciative field hockey fans - in India, a nation that has won eight Olympic gold medals in the sport. When the U.S. posted a 1-0 win over Canada in India last summer, it was Vano who got the shutout - preserving it with a blocked penalty shot.

There have been less-triumphant moments for the former pre-teen ice hockey goalie, who also played football for Royal High School and has taken the toughness learned in both those sports to field hockey.

``I've had my share of broken fingers and broken toes,'' Vano said of his responsibility for stopping balls shot at speeds of 100 to 130 mph. ``You get used to it after a while. It goes with the territory.''

Recently, what also has gone with the territory is improved American play - notably during a 2-0-1 tournament showing in Spain, where the U.S. defeated the host Spaniards and Argentina.

Those two countries were ranked Nos. 7 and 8, respectively. The U.S. will enter the Olympics ranked 12th.

That tournament also has American team members redefining their goals for Atlanta.

``We're not sure going in what we really want,'' Vano said. ``Everyone wants a medal, but what's realistic? You might say trying to shoot for a 7-12 finish. But the way we're playing now, we think we really are in medal contention.''

No matter what transpires, Vano knows the proudest moment of his 12-year field-hockey career will occur in Atlanta.

``The big satisfaction,'' he said, ``comes when you put on your jersey for your country.''

PROFILE Age: 25

Position: Goalkeeper

Schools: Royal High, Moorpark College 

Fast fact: Vano has also played as an ice-hockey goalie

When to Watch Pool play: July 20 vs. Pakistan; July 22 vs. Argentina; July 24 vs. India; July 26 vs. Spain; July 28 vs. Germany

Playoffs: July 31-Aug. 2

Medal games: Aug. 2

CAPTION(S):

5 Photos, 2 Boxes

Photo: (1) Tom Vano is the target of autographseekers in some parts of the world, but he is practically unknown here in America.

Jeremy Greene / Special to the Daily News

(2) Tom Vano

(3-5) THROUGH THE YEARS

1986: Signs up for Ventura County junior field hockey program

1988: Offensive lineman for Royal High School

1988: Is named to U.S. Junior National field hockey team

1989: Plays in his first Olympic Festival in Norman, Okla.

1990: Joins U.S. national field hockey team

1996: Is named to U.S. Olympic field hockey team

Box: (1) PROFILE (see text)

(2) When to Watch (see text)