New Season, Same Goals For Terp Field Hockey
8/14/2001 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 14, 2001
For the Maryland field hockey team, the newness of the 2001 season holds an air of familiarity.
The 2001 campaign brings a new look to the schedule, with a road trip to California and visits from Midwestern schools. Nine new names dot the Maryland roster, and each will try to make an impact in the Terps' new-look offense or backfield. The Terrapin sideline takes on a different appearance, with the addition of Olympian Andrew Griffiths to the coaching staff. Plans are on the table for an upgrade to the Terps' home facility, as new water-base turf will be added by the beginning of next season. Yet with all the new happenings around the Maryland hockey program, one thing does not change. The Terrapins begin 2001 regarded as one of the top teams in the nation, and hope to contend once again for a national title in November.
"The concept is a transition from greatness to greatness," stated three-time national coach of the year Missy Meharg. "Putting ourselves in a position to be national champions is what this program is all about."
A season ago, the Terrapin field hockey team faced a daunting task. Returning the entire starting lineup from its 1999 NCAA championship team, Maryland was the favorite to repeat in 2000 and had to face all of the expectations and challenges that go with being the "team to beat." Last season's third straight ACC championship and second consecutive NCAA semifinal was impressive by almost anyone's standards, but the Terrapins were left just a little unsatisfied.
The 2001 Maryland team wants to establish a standard of its own. Amidst the changes and challenges of the new season, Maryland will strive to continue its winning tradition, vie for the national title and attempt to raise the bar for NCAA hockey.
"When you have an opportunity to go to the Final Four, when you have a wonderful opportunity to be a national champion, and when you have the opportunity to win ACC championships for multiple years," said Meharg, "I believe the key is to stay in the present and be very focused on the way we play and compete. We will continue with our attacking, risky style, and play the brand of hockey that is exciting for the players, coaches and spectators."
Success for the 2001 Terrapins will depend on how well the already accomplished upperclassmen mesh with the promising newcomers. All will need to be ready to contribute, and consistent with that theme, each member of the Maryland squad will experience captaincy at different points during the season.
The 2001 rookies will benefit from the championship experience of Meharg's seasoned veterans. A school-record tying and NCAA-most six All-Americans were selected from the 2000 squad, with three returning to lead Maryland to an elite level of hockey this season.
A trio of senior All-Americans carry the Terrapins into 2001. Rachel Hiskins and Caroline Walter, both two-time honorees, return to lead the Terrapin offense during their final campaigns, while Autumn Welsh captains the defense.
Midfielder Hiskins' ACC-leading point totals from the last two seasons, 67 and 62 respectively, rank as the top and third-place single-season efforts in school history. Walter, meanwhile, was the ACC Player of the Year in 1999 and pulled in All-ACC and All-NCAA Tournament accolades last season. She is recovering from off-season surgery on her thyroid.
"Rachel is probably one of the most dynamic players ever to play in College Park. She is a beautiful player to watch and will be a beautiful player for the freshmen to follow," stated Meharg. "And Caroline is a fierce competitor coming into her senior year in a position to lead the attack after a bit of a tough time physically."
Welsh once again anchors the Maryland backfield. The two-time All-ACC selection and 2000 ACC Tournament MVP will key the young defensive unit from which the Terrapin attack is generated. A testament to Welsh's ability came in February with her selection as the 11th Terp all-time to play on the U.S. National Field Hockey Team.
"We have lost a lot in our backfield to graduation," said Meharg. "But Autumn is a tremendous player who can anticipate and intercept, and her attacking abilities are amazing as well. I have high expectations for her to just be comfortable in a leadership role and have fun with it."
Another senior contributing to Maryland's defensive effort will be Carol Senkler, who is experienced at both the back and fullback positions. The two-time NFHCA Academic Squad member and ACC Honor Roll selection has been a reliable and versatile player on the field.
Four-year forwards Dina Rizzo, Megan Kelly and Angie Klingerman return to bolster the Terrapin attack. Rizzo, a two-time Mid-Atlantic all-region region selection, scored a career-high 11 goals and 24 points a season ago and looks to have an even better 2001 after a stint as the captain of the U.S. Under-21 team.
"Dina Rizzo has an opportunity to be a leader this season and we're going to see a tremendous year from her," stated Meharg. "She is a vibrant player -- enthusiastic, physical and dynamic. From both an attacking and defensive standpoint, Dina creates an energy that spectators love."
Kelly, one of Maryland's greatest athletes in recent memory, will be back on the forward line after a banner year. Maryland's most successful dual-sport athlete, who is a four-time national champion and six-time ACC title-winner on both the field hockey and lacrosse teams, paced all reserves with a career-high seven goals and an assist for 15 points.
Klingerman, like Kelly, gave the Terps energy on the field and points on the scoreboard in a reserve role in 2000. The gritty forward with a "nose for the goal" chipped in six goals and contributed an assist last season and should be a key scoring threat for the Terrapins in 2001.
Rounding out Meharg's group of senior leaders is accomplished netminder Ashley Hohnstine. In her second season as the Terps' keeper, Hohnstine's 1.16 GAA was the lowest in the ACC for the second year in a row.
Maryland's juniors, sophomores and redshirt freshmen will have to play critical roles on this year's squad to ensure team success.
Junior Carissa Messimer, a two-time Mid-Atlantic all-region selection and member of the U.S. Under-21 team, will once again fill one of the Terps' front five positions. The aggressive attacker finished the season as the fourth-leading scorer on the squad after blowing up in the postseason with two goals in the ACC Championship, a pair in the NCAA first round and a score in the national semifinal game. Now entering her third season, Messimer continues to develop into more of a complete player.
"Carissa is an elite-level athlete with a high intellect for the game," commented Meharg. "She has really worked hard on transition and has become a very good defender as well."
A healthy Kateri Simon will play a major role in this season's defensive midfield after making the full recovery from four different knee surgeries throughout her career. During the 2000 season, Simon was able to display her speed and versatility in 19 of the Terps' games, and even chipped in with two assists against Towson.
Hardworking sophomore Dawn Christensen will look to see time on the Terps' forward line. Christensen's "uncanny risk in front of the goal cage" was evidenced by the first goal of her career last season, when she punched in a tally in her first collegiate playing minutes.
The only true freshman field player to see playing time in 2000, Catherine Rogers will play a vital role in the Terps' backfield. The sophomore makes the transition to Maryland's defense after a tremendous spring effort.
Also moving into a key position as a part of the Terrapins young defense will be redshirt freshman Sara Silvetti. After a season on the Terp practice squad, Silvetti emerged as a player with excellent intercepting, passing and hitting skills.
Recently selected to U.S. Field Hockey's A-Camp, redshirt freshman Courtney Thornton will vie for a backfield spot. Thornton is fully recovered from a fractured finger in 2000 and will look to continue the Terp tradition of attacking defense.
After an incredible summer of conditioning, Beth Hafer will look to contribute on the forward line. Hafer's hard work in the weight room will pay off in playing minutes as a part of Maryland's deep attacking unit.
One of the most promising recruiting classes in the history of Maryland's field hockey program, the Terrapin rookies enter the season ready to make an immediate impact.
"We have an incredible freshman class," said Meharg. "We have a variety of positions, with Kerry Hearsey from England in the goal cage, Lucy Morris in the attacking midfield from Australia, Kristin Harris in the back and U.S. Under-19 team members Colleen Barbieri and Emily Boyer. The freshmen are all great, and it's going to be fun putting this team together."
Hearsey, a member of the British Under-21 squad, will benefit from Hohnstine's experience as well as challenge the senior for playing minutes. Athletic newcomer Tori Cano will add depth as she develops as a goalkeeper.
Barbieri, Boyer and U.S. Field Hockey A-Camp selection Harris all capped their careers with high school All-America honors. Their speed and athleticism will help them to contribute immediately at the forward, midfield and back positions, respectively.
Australian Morris, an experienced member of her country's national youth squad, should also be an immediate factor in the Terps' vaunted attack. Her disciplined shot selection and uncanny ability to find the net has caught the eye of the coaching staff.
The versatile and athletic Amber McQuillan and local standout Christina Pernia will also look to contribute offensively. Medical redshirt Laura Blongiewicz will work her way into Maryland's attack while taking time off this season to rehabilitate from knee surgery.
The Maryland program continues to challenge itself with a rigorous schedule in 2001, and will travel to different reaches of the country to take on the toughest competition. Highlights include the season-opening West Coast swing to Stanford University for a three-game set, and the Terps' traditional home-and-away series with defending national champion Old Dominion. Maryland's ACC slate will once again bring on the challenges of the most elite field hockey conference in the nation.
"I am really excited about the formidable schedule for the 2001 season," stated Meharg. "We're embarking on a new era of Maryland hockey, with a revitalized coaching unit, a strong senior class and great incoming freshmen who will be challenged by this level of competition."
