Aug. 22, 2001

HEIDELBERG, Germany - Terrapin senior defender Debbie Lieberman (Commack, N.Y.) continues her journal of the Maryland women's soccer team's trip to Europe to kick off the 2001 season. Here are her entries from Aug. 18-19.

Day 4 (Aug. 18): Our First Game Day In Europe

On Saturday, Aug. 18, we woke up a bit earlier than usual in order to get a training session in. After sorting out defensive strategies and free kicks, we went back to the hotel to shower and prepare for the game.

For lunch we ate in the old city centre of Heidelberg.

Following lunch we took an hour and half bus ride to the game field to give us plenty of time to mentally prepare for our game against the German Bundesliga Damen National Klub Champion, FCC Frankfurt.

Gametime was supposed to be at 4 p.m. local time, but the game started around 4:40 p.m. Things are a bit more laid-back here. For our first game, we did pretty well. We started a bit jumpy, but settled into a comfortable pace for us to play the game.

The refs probably called about 15 fouls against us and one call for us, but this imbalance was okay after we scored in the first half. The game finished up 1-1. It was a learning time for us and a place to grow and become better soccer players.

Following the match, we at dinner at an Italian restaurant. We had delicious pasta and excellent ice cream! Our ride home consisted of a dance party and team entertainment. I think we all enjoyed the bus ride. Day four ended with a bang!

Day 5 (Aug. 19): Seeing The Sights Of Heidelberg

Sunday, Aug. 19, was a day to recover. After a light training session in the morning, we headed over to Heidelberg, where we took a river boat ride. The weather was perfect. It was light and cool with a breeze and warm sunshine. It created the perfect atmosphere to view the countryside.

Lining the river were these beautiful huge houses. Some looked quite old, others were more modern. Toward the midpoint of the boat ride, we saw four magnificent castles lining the cliffs. Two of them are still residentially owned.

After the castle spotting, we were able to get off the boat and walk around the city that was 1,000 years old. We boarded the bus and enjoyed a relaxing trip back to Heidelberg.

The evening closed with a scenic walk back to the hotel. We ate dinner and packed for our transfer to Holland.

Day 6 (Aug. 20): Playing To A 1-1 In Game Two Against Eendracht Aalst

Maryland took on Belgian Club National Champion Eendracht Aalst of Belgium in the second game of its tour. The Terps tied Aalst, 1-1. Katie Ludwig (Mount Laurel, N.J.) gave Maryland a 1-0 lead on a brilliant goal with her back to the net inside the 18-yard box. She one-touched the ball, turned and volleyed the ball into the far post side of the net. Freshman Melissa Anderson (Annapolis, Md.) was credited the assist on Ludwig's goal in the 68th minute.

Aalst tied the game in the 80th minute.

Maryland started the same lineup for the second straight game: Sara Gustafson and Kim King at forward, Ludwig, Audra Poulin, Courtney Beirne and Dana Jarzyniecki at midfield, Carly Viher, Valerie Lawrence, Lindsay Givens and Sally Harrison on defense and Ali Wolff in goal.

Four players came on as subs: Lindsay Niehaus, Anderson, Lieberman and Katie Kruse (70th).

According to assistant coach Kerry Dziczkaniec, Niehaus had a real solid performance coming off the bench and playing as a marking back. Viher and Givens played very well as part of a consistent defense. Overall, Dziczkaniec said the Terps "had solid rhythm and played a good soccer against a competitive that was of ACC-caliber."