Terp Field Hockey Adds Pair Of In-State Standouts To Recruiting Class
4/15/2002 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
April 15, 2002
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - NFHCA Coach of the Year Missy Meharg announced the signing of in-state residents Christina Restivo (Parkton, Md./Hereford H.S.) and Rachel Mesa (Gaithersburg, Md./Quince Orchard H.S.) to national letters of intent to join the Maryland field hockey squad beginning in the fall semester, 2002. Both natives of the state of Maryland, Mesa and Restivo decided to stay at home and become members of the four-time defending ACC champion and NCAA finalist Terrapins for the upcoming season.
"I'm really pleased that the University of Maryland signed two of the state of Maryland's best," said Meharg. "The two are a tremendous defensive tandem, kind of like a pitcher-catcher battery."
Restivo and Mesa join incoming Terps Lauren Powley (Mountaintop, Pa./Wyoming Seminary), Tiffany Marsh (Marathon, N.Y./Marathon High School) and Jackie Ciconte (Wilmington, Del./The Tatnall School) as parts of Meharg's 2002 recruiting class.
Restivo, a goalie from the Baltimore area, merited Baltimore Sun Metro Player of the Year honors to go along with first team all-state and all-county accolades. After posting a .930 save percentage as a senior, Restivo was invited to participate in the Maryland state all-star game. She also joined the U.S. Field Hockey national futures program in 2002. In addition to field hockey, Restivo was a standout member of the Hereford basketball, lacrosse and track and field teams.
"Christina Restivo is quick and tenacious and brings a lot of club and indoor hockey experience to the goalkeeping unit," commented Meharg.
A versatile athlete, Mesa was a member of Quince Orchard's field hockey, basketball and softball teams. Mesa was named All-Met by the Washington Post, earned the coach's award for two straight years in field hockey and finished her senior season as a tri-captain of her squad.
"Rachel Mesa led the Quince Orchard high school team to their first state championship as a central back, and she captained the Washington Wolves club team," Meharg said. "She can really make an impact right away for Maryland."
Meharg, whose Terrapins graduated eight seniors after a phenomenal four-year run, welcomes her new additions to a team that posted a 20-4 record in 2002 and made a third-consecutive national semifinal appearance.
Contact: Mark Fratto/Carli Harris
301-314-8052 (Phone)
301-314-9094 (FAX)
301-314-TERP (Fan Phone)
fratto@wam.umd.edu
