Field Hockey Opens Silver Anniversary Season
6/21/1999 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
August 27, 1998
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The University of Maryland field hockey team received a sixth-place ranking in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) preseason poll. Virginia is ranked first, followed by Old Dominion, Princeton, North Carolina and Penn State. This season, the Terps take on 10 teams that are ranked among the top 20 teams in the preseason poll. Starting Sept. 15, the NHFCA will release their poll each Tuesday by 1 p.m. The final poll of the year will be released Nov. 10
CONTINUING THE RUN
In their silver anniversary season, the Terps are determined to build upon a tradition of excellence that has spanned the past 24 years. Since 1974, Maryland has compiled an all-time record of 301-147-36 (.659), won two NCAA titles (1987 and 1993), advanced to the NCAA Final Four four times and has competed in the NCAA Tournament 10 times. In addition, the Terps won the ACC Tournament in 1992 and advanced to the AIAW semifinals in 1979.
PRATT RETURNS TO PROVIDE SENIOR LEADERSHIP FOR TERPS
Senior All-America back Jen Pratt (Greene, N.Y.) is the most experienced veteran on the 1998 squad. She was a third team All-America selection in 1996 and a second team selection last season. Pratt holds the Maryland records for most assists in a game (4, set twice in 1997), season (33, set in 1997) and career (53). Should Pratt earn All-America honors this season, she would become just the fifth Maryland player to be named All-America three times during their college career. Former Terp Kim Turner is Marylands only four-time All-America selection (1985-88) while Jessica Wilk (1986-88), Amy Schubert (1991-93) and Christine DeBow (1995-97) were named All-America three times.
TRADING PLACES
Last year, sophomores Carla Tagliente (Cortland, N.Y.) and Keli Smith (Selinsgrove, Pa.) flourished at the center-forward and midfield positions respectively. Tagliente scored 19 goals and tallied 5 assists en route to being named the ACC Rookie of the Year and third team All-America. Smith netted seven goals and had three assists and was a Mid-Atlantic Region All-America selection. This year, Tagliente switches to the midfield line for what Meharg cites as her "exceptional vision of the field and passing skills." Smith, meanwhile, takes over the center-forward position where Meharg says "her work ethic will be contagious throughout the team."
OPENING NIGHT
Maryland opens the 1998 season on Wednesday, Sept. 2 against Richmond at 7:30 p.m. at the Astro Turf Facility. The Terps are coming off an 18-4 season while the Spiders come of an 8-11 campaign. Richmond is led by senior forward Leigh Honeker (four goals, 17 assists in 1997). Maryland leads the all-time series against Richmond 12-0-1. The Terps won the last meeting between the two schools 4-0 on Oct. 31, 1995. The loan deadlock between Maryland and Richmond was a 1-1 decision on Nov. 8, 1983.
ACC-BIG TEN CHALLENGE
Following their game against Richmond, the Terps travel to St. Louis for the first-ever ACC-Big 10 Challenge. On Saturday, Sept. 5, Maryland takes on No. 11 Michigan at 3 p.m. The Terps and Wolverines have never played against each other in field hockey. Michigan is led by Midwest Region All-America midfielder Loveita Wilkinson (seven goals, six assists in 1997) and Midwest Region All-America forward Kelli Gannon (five goals, two assists in 1997). On Monday, Sept. 7, Maryland faces Michigan State at 2 p.m. The Spartans are led by Midwest Region All-America back Melissa Pryor, who had six defensive saves in 1997. The Terps won their only previous meeting with the Spartans 4-0 on Sept. 17, 1982.
MEHARG CLOSING IN ON MARYLAND COACHING RECORD
Head coach Missy Meharg begins her 11th season at the helm of the Maryland field hockey program. Through her first 10 years, she has compiled a record of 148-61-9 (.700). She is just five wins away from tying former Maryland coach Sue Tylers record of 153 victories. Tyler had a record of 153-86-7 during her 14-year career at Maryland (1974-87).
NHFCA 1998 PRESEASON POLL
1. Virginia (5)
2. Old Dominion
3. North Carolina
4. Princeton
5. Penn State
6. MARYLAND
7. Northeastern
8. Connecticut
9. James Madison
10. Ball State
11. Michigan
12. American
13. Ohio State
14. Boston College
15. Kent State
16. Syracuse
Tie. Massachusetts
18. Duke
19. Delaware
20. Boston Univ.
Tie. Iowa
