July 22, 1998

A smile comes to Terrapin head coach Alan Kirkup's face when he studies the roster of the Maryland women's soccer team for the 1998 season. At quick glance, Kirkup sees seven seniors among nine returning starters, a starting defense that returns intact, and the highest scoring frontline duo in school history. As Kirkup readies his squad to play one of the nation's toughest schedules, the third-year Maryland head coach is preparing the Terps to play longer into the season than any other team in school history.

The return of 18 letterwinners, including four of the top six goal scorers, off of last year's Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament finalists, plus a solid recruiting class, has anticipation for the 1998 season at an all-time high. The Terps have played in the ACC championship game in two of the last three seasons and are aiming for their school-record fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. In two of the last three seasons, Maryland has come within one win of advancing to the women's soccer championship weekend.

Maryland's senior class, which has been instrumental in the rise of the program to national prominence, will need to continue its extraordinary play if the Terps plan to be in the national championship picture this season. The senior class - forwards Emmy Harbo and Keri Sarver, midfielders Robin McCullough and Wendy Baldwin, defenders Abby Bausman, Laura Varela and Tiffany Keyes - is the winningest in school history, and would like nothing more than to cap off their careers by playing on the final weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

Maryland's continued success, both in the ACC and nationally, will depend heavily on its traditionally strong offense. The Terps ranked second in the ACC in goals scored (51) last season and have averaged nearly 2.5 goals per game in the last three seasons. Harbo and Sarver, who are the highest scoring offensive duo in school history, hope to enjoy the strongest season of their careers.

A solid year of maturity in 1997 for the Terps' midfield should serve as a launching pad in making it a strong unit in 1998. The unit will be led by McCullough, a two-time All-ACC selection, and juniors Lindsay Basalyga, Jackie Mynarski and Julie Nelson. Each player in the starting midfield played in at least 20 games last season and give the Terps the speed and quickness demanded of the Maryland midfielders.

Maryland's defense, which ranked third in the ACC with seven shutouts in 1997, returns its four back line starters and should be improved over its strong showing last season. The Terps' back line will combine the talents of junior Emily Janss, a second team All-ACC and ACC all-tournament selection in 1997, with the familiar faces of Bausman, Varela and Keyes in forming what will easily be one of the stingiest defenses in College Park in many years. Janss, Bausman and Varela have missed only one game between them in the last two seasons, while Keyes returns fully healed from knee surgery.

The goalkeeping tandem of sophomores Riki-Ann Serrins and Alli Wolff will split the starting chores in 1998 as they did in 1997. Serins and Wolff performed well as freshmen and improved in every facet of their play during a demanding spring training schedule.

Maryland's recruiting class will have the chance to make immediate contributions at every position. Kirkup sees the additions of Courtney Bierne and Carrie Klotz, adding depth to an already strong front line. Junior Courtney Martinez, a member of Maryland's national championship women's lacrosse team, will have an impact in the midield and Debbie Lieberman will add depth to the strong defense.

FORWARDS

Together, Harbo and Sarver will be one of the most explosive offensive duos in college soccer this season. They enter the 1998 season ranked first and second in every offensive category in school history and have ranked first and second in scoring in both of the last two seasons. They have combined for 84 goals and 209 total points in the last three years. Harbo and Sarver have teamed up for goals 21 times during the first three years of their careers.

Alone, Harbo and Sarver are masterful offensive weapons. With 44 and 40 goals, respectively, and 16 and 26 assists respectively, they have displayed their abilities to score often and against the nation's toughest competition.

Harbo is an All-America candidate who is considered by many to be one of the most dangerous strikers in the nation. She is the Terps' all-time leading goal scorer (44) and is second in school history in total points (104). Harbo was a first team All-ACC selection in 1996 when she scored a single-season school record 21 goals. Harbo's ability to control the ball in traffic and get shots off in just about any situation make her a constant threat whenever she is in the box.

Sarver is another player whose play will warrant strong All-America consideration. A team co-captain, Sarver ranks first in school history with 106 total points. She is the all-time school leader with 26 assists and ranks second all-time in goals scored with 40. She was a second-team All-ACC selection and an ACC all-tournament team choice last season. Sarver led the team with 14 goals in 1997. She also added eight assists for 36 total points. Sarver's ability to get into the open field and outrace defenders makes her a very special offensive player. She also has the ability to score with either foot making her doubly dangerous.

Newcomers Courtney Beirne and Carrie Klotz are expected to solidify an already powerful position for the Terps. Both possess excellent field vision and play well with the ball at their feet.

MIDFIELD

Maryland will be experienced in the midfield, with a senior and three juniors expected to form one of the top units in the ACC.

McCullough, an attacking midfielder, who can also play as a front runner, was the Terps' third leading scorer in 1997. She is one of the more active players on the Terps' roster and often finds herself in position to score goals. One needs to look only at her eight goals and six assists last season to find examples of her offensive abilities. McCullough has been one of the strongest players in the program since her freshman season. She is one of only two players in school history to have been selected All-ACC more than once during her career.

Juniors Lindsay Basalyga and Jackie Mynarski will also play in the midfield. Basalyga, who played in 22 games while starting 14 as a sophomore, scored two goals including the game winner against Florida State. She is a solid player who possesses the ball well and uses her speed to take the flow of the game to the outside flanks. Mynarski scored five goals while playing in all 24 games last season. Her strength is her greatest asset giving her the ability to anchor the midfield. She has displayed her offensive abilities with eight goals and 19 total points in her two years at Maryland.

Nelson returns for her third season to hold down the duties at defensive midfield. Nelson is a strong athlete who has the ability to control the tempo of a game with her quickness in getting to the ball. Nelson should be one of the top defensive midfielders in the conference this season, allowing the Terps to be offensive-minded throughout the remainder of the midfield positions.

The Terps will be deep at the midfield position with capable athletes ready to step in at any time. Sophomores Vita Mckenna, Terri Greer and Tina Lacertosa gained valuable playing experience last season. Courtney Martinez will bring added collegiate experience, though this will be her first season on the soccer field for the Terps. McKenna (19 games) and Greer (21 games) saw considerable playing time last season, and that experience will allow them to step into any given situation.

BACK LINE

Maryland's back line play has traditionally been a strength for the Terps and this season will be no exception. The Terps return all four starters from last season, and after a full year of playing together, look to be one of the strongest defenses in recent memory. Maryland enjoyed four shutout victories against ranked teams last season and held its opponent to one or fewer goals in 14 games.

Senior Emily Janss returns as a starter for the third consecutive season. She was the only defender in the league to earn both All-ACC and ACC all-tournament honors last season. Janss will see the majority of the available minutes playing at center back. She has started 50 consecutive games and has 15 total points during her career. Her outstanding play in the ACC tournament helped the Terps hold both offensive-minded Duke and NC State to one goal each.

Seniors Abby Bausman and Laura Varela will flank Janss as defensive mainstays. Bausman (48 games in the last two season) and Varela (45 games in the last two seasons) have played exceedingly well down the stretch in the last two years and are major reasons why the Terps are looking toward playing in their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament. In addition to playing strong defense, the pair have demonstrated solid offensive skills during their careers. Bausman scored two goals last season, including the game winner against James Madison, and Varela has been credited with three assists in each of the last two seasons.

Keyes returns to the field after missing the entire 1997 season and half of the 1996 season with a knee injury. She was a starting defender in the first 11 games of the 1996 season when the Terps went undefeated and allowed only three goals. Her return to the backfield will be welcomed by her teammates and scorned by her opponents.

Sophomore Terri Greer and freshman Debbie Lieberman will provide the depth of the back line. Greer appeared in 21 games (while starting five) as a freshman and gained the experience needed to be helpful in the Terps' defensive scheme. Lieberman possesses strong credentials and will look to add depth to the position.

Riki-Ann Serrins and Alli Wolff will return for their second seasons defending the Terps' goal. Serins and Wolff split time last season with the platoon system working well. Serins appeared in 12 games while Wolff made 16 appearances.

Serins recorded two shutouts and recorded a career-high 10 saves in an overtime victory over No. 19 ranked Dartmouth. She was the Terps' starter in the ACC championship game against North Carolina.

Wolff started 14 games and recorded five shutouts last season. Her five shutouts and 65 saves already place her fifth in both categories on Maryland's career charts. She recorded a career-high 14 saves in her first career appearance.

The Golden Connection

Seniors Emmy Harbo and Keri Sarver are the highest scoring duo in school history. Harbo and Sarver have teamed up 22 times during their three-year career. The Terps have only lost once in the last three seasons when Harbo is on the scoring end of a Sarver assist or Sarver is on the scoring end of a Harbo assist.

Goal by Emmy Harbo / Assist by Keri Sarver
1997
vs. James Madison	Sept. 4	W, 2-0
vs. Penn	Sept. 14	W, 2-0
vs. Harvard	Oct. 5	L, 1-3
vs. Clemson	Oct. 13	W, 2-0

1996
vs. New Hampshire	Sept. 7	W, 6-1
vs. James Madison	Sept. 13	W, 2-1
vs. Davidson	Sept. 15	W, 4-1
vs. Penn State	Oct. 6	W, 3-1
vs. Florida State	Oct. 13	W, 2-0
vs. Navy	Oct. 22	W, 4-0
vs. Navy	Oct. 22	W, 4-0
vs. Georgia	Nov. 3	W, 4-1
vs. George Washington	Nov. 16	W, 2-0

Goal by Keri Sarver / Assist by Emmy Harbo
1997
vs. Florida	Sept. 19	T, 3-3
vs. Navy	Oct. 26	W, 5-0

1996
vs. George Washington	Sept. 4	W, 5-0
vs. Davidson	Sept. 15	W, 4-1
vs. George Washington	Nov. 16	W, 2-0

1995
vs. Princeton	Sept. 15	W, 5-0
vs. William & Mary	Sept. 22	W, 1-0
vs. Fairfield	Oct. 27	W, 3-0