Inside The Circle - Week 10
11/7/2001 7:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 7, 2001
Check out the Terps' ACC Championship weekend in pictures!
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Welcome to this week's installment of "Inside the Circle," an inside look at Maryland field hockey. Each week throughout the 2001 season, junior Kateri Simon (Fallston, Md.) and senior Autumn Welsh (Macungie, Pa.) will combine to bring you the latest Terp happenings from the student-athlete's point-of-view.
Use Kateri and Autumn's journal to follow the Terps' 2001 campaign all season long. If you would like to submit question to our authors about field hockey, the Terps or anything (within reason!), send us an e-mail.
In capturing their fourth consecutive ACC title, the Terrapins accomplished one of their season goals on Sunday. Two hard-fought matches and one exciting weekend brought the entire Maryland hockey family together -- players, coaches, administrators, family and friends alike. But as Autumn tells us this week, it is only the beginning. The journey continues as the team looks ahead to the NCAA Championship tournament.
2001 ACC Champs! What a weekend...
As we headed down to Carolina on Thursday morning we were all anxious and excited for a great weekend of field hockey. Although we all hate leaving home in College Park, nothing beats the fun we have on our away trips. We even dragged a few friends down with us, Associate Athletic Director Jane Mullens, Academic Support Counselor Melvin Robinson, and our young coaching staff, Molly Kauffman, Carla Tagliente, Keli Smith, and Lindsay Gorewitz. The more the merrier!!!
The fun began, once again, on "da...bus". We started the entertainment with the hilarious Chris Farley greatest hits. One of the major characteristics of our team this year is our love of humor. Chris Farley is a favorite -- our idol so to speak. Even the coaches got into it!
Then, Lucy Deuce, Kerry, and I headed to the back of the bus to prepare our speech for the ACC banquet. We decided to utilize Lucy's musical talents to add a little twist to the evening's festivities. So we wrote a song.
Once we arrived in Chapel Hill the excitement began for the tournament. It was awesome to see how many parents and friends followed us down south for the big weekend.
The banquet was great. We shared many laughs, and had a good time seeing friends from other teams. It was quite a celebration -- good food, lots of "colorful" balloons, a little entertainment from the Terps. Several of our players were recognized on the ACC All-Star Team, and Missy was given the Coach of the Year Award (GO TERPS!). Our song was a success, and I think we shocked many of the other teams with Lucy and Kerry's musical talents. It was so much fun.
Friday was game day. By 7:00 p.m. we were all anxious and ready to play. We headed into the match against UVA with high spirits, and tremendous focus. We played great throughout each line. The forwards were pounding shots against the UVA goalie. Our mids had one of their best passing and intercepting games all season. Our backs were ruthless and determined, and Kerry and Ashley were relentless in protecting the goal. We awed even ourselves. It was 70 minutes of beautiful field hockey!
Saturday was our day of rest. We had some free time with our families, and went out for a nice dinner to the Macaroni Grille. Happy Birthday Diane, and Arnie! (JK: it's a team tradition to celebrate someone's birthday, free dessert- ha ha).
The ACC Final is always a tough match, no matter which two teams are there. That's the beauty of the ACC. All five teams in the top 15, pretty impressive. This year it was Maryland vs. Wake Forest. The game was close all the way through. Both teams were challenged, and both teams put up a fight. It could have gone either way. Fortunately for us, the Terps came out victorious, 3-2. Both goalies had a tremendous game. Ashley had many great saves on corners, she kept us in right in it! Throughout the season, it is rare for goalies to get much recognition, but in big games like these they get to prove why they're here in D-I hockey.
By game's end we were all pretty relieved to have won. It took a bit of time to realize what we had done. We conquered the ACC Championship, for the fourth year in a row. Pretty impressive.
We walked away with two All-star players, an MVP, and a Rookie of the Year (Way to go Barbieri!). Not too bad a showing for the Terps.
All in all the weekend was a great success. We found there's still more for us to learn and improve on, but we challenged one another, and ourselves to reach to greater heights. We survived the flu, the heat, and showed that we can be strong in the face of adversity.
We're now on our way to the NCAA tourney. Before we begin this weekend though, I'd like to thank all the family and friends that joined us, and thought of us last weekend. We greatly appreciate your support, and enthusiasm. You are a part of US!
Sincerely, #3
