2002 Maryland Field Hockey Outlook
8/22/2002 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 22, 2002
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A winning tradition has been forged in College Park. Four consecutive ACC titles, seven straight appearances in the NCAA tournament, three trips in a row to the national semifinals, and an average of 19 victories per season since 1996 -- Maryland field hockey is and has been synonymous with success.
The Terrapins earned the third NCAA championship in program history in 1999, and a season ago, nearly captured a fourth. A senior-laden squad plowed its way through the postseason, picking up the program's fifth conference title and steamrolling all the way to the national championship game. Though the Terps were left slightly unsatisfied with the final result, the Maryland field hockey family had much to be proud of - its seniors had never lost an ACC championship; the program had appeared in the national semifinals three times and the national title game twice. The Terps' eight seniors would graduate with a 79-15 career record across their four years, with the 2001 squad itself posting an elite 20-win season.
Following the graduation of a decorated senior class, 2001 ACC and NFHCA National Coach of the Year Missy Meharg has reloaded the Terrapins for 2002, determined to continue Maryland's championship tradition. Ten talented newcomers from far and wide have been added to the young, but experienced group of returning Terps, and a new wave of excitement and electricity fills the air as Maryland looks to continue its success on the turf.
"What I'm most excited about is the overall level of athleticism of the squad. It's fun and challenging to guide a new generation of Maryland hockey players," said the coach. "I'm so proud to have the new Terrapins here at Maryland and I'm very proud we recruit the best student-athletes."
 Kateri Simon, a 2001 Mid-Atlantic All-Region selection, will lead the Terps from the defensive midfield this season.  |
|
Messimer, who finished third on the squad in scoring a season ago, has continued to get better every year for the Terps. Her ability to control the outcome of a contest has been witnessed time and time again with a history of dramatic, game-winning goals. Messimer's particular flair for high performance in the postseason rivals that of any athlete at any level.
"I'm expecting good leadership from Carissa. She's been on the field since her freshman year and has been to three national semifinals," said Meharg. "She's had the critical amount of experience to help guide and encourage this young team."
Simon, who battled several knee surgeries to land a regular role in the Terps' defense last season, has put forth a tremendous summer effort and once again represents one of Maryland's quickest and steadiest defensive players. Her experience and leadership will help set the tone for her young backfield mates.
Offense
On paper, the rest of the 2002 Terrapin squad appears young. But make no mistake about the group's experience, as the army of sophomores and redshirt freshmen that comprise the core of this team has already experienced championship success. The group knows what it takes to achieve, as it already has proven its mettle with an ACC championship and a run to the NCAA final game under its belt.
Maryland returns the leading scorer from its nationally top-rated offense in Mid-Atlantic All-Region selection and ACC Rookie of the Year Colleen Barbieri. Referred to by Meharg as "one of the most dynamic, fastest, threatening attackers in the nation," Barbieri made the transition from high school superstar to collegiate standout with a team-high 17 goals and 40 points in her rookie campaign, both marks that tied for sixth among the nation's leaders. Making the transition from the backfield to the Terps' forward line during the team's spring season, Courtney Thornton has developed into a prolific scorer and will contribute to the attack.
"In the indoor season Courtney was really tenacious and had a lot of wonderful goals," said Meharg. "She is exceedingly fit and we'll enjoy her transition to the offense."
Spirited redshirt freshman Amber McQuillan put forth a terrific spring effort, and her athleticism and work ethic should earn her playing time on the right side of the forward line or in the midfield. Meharg continues to be impressed by her competitive outlook.
"Amber works really hard," said the coach. "She is the epitome of a team player, she fights all the time and her attitude is that of an elite athlete."
After sitting out her inaugural campaign while recovering from knee surgery, Laura Blongiewicz makes her return as a redshirt freshman, looking to become a factor in the Terps' offense. She begins the 2002 season in her best physical shape since arriving at Maryland.
Defense
The Terrapins, who boasted the top-ranked defense in the NCAA last season in addition to its juggernaut attack, return several key components looking to uphold that standard. Simon and the backfield will have to contend with the loss of national player of the year Autumn Welsh, but starters Sara Silvetti and Kristin Harris are back after contributing much in their first seasons on the field.
Silvetti, a sophomore fullback, learned much from Welsh in her redshirt season and played alongside her a year ago. Her play exceeded expectations in 2001 as she keyed a defensive effort that held opponents to 0.88 goals per game on only 5.6 shots per game. "Sara possesses great vision and passing skills, and her defense in the back left quadrant is amazing," said Meharg.
Silvetti proved to be a viable option as a hitter on attack penalty corners as well, and registered seven goals on the season.
Harris, who gained much experience as a true freshman at halfback, drew 23 starting assignments in 2001 and will lead by example in 2002. The sophomore worked to improve her skills in the offseason and "has all of the tools to be an elite level field hockey player," according to Meharg.
U.S. Under-19 team member Emily Boyer saw action in 16 games last season and will also factor into the Terp backfield. She toured with the U.S. junior squad during the spring and summer, and her continued improvement and high fitness level has impressed the coaching staff.
"Emily's tackling skills are excellent and she's been working a lot on her speed," explained Meharg. "She plays a lot of hockey throughout the year, and is therefore ready to make an impact for the Terps."
A versatile and dedicated team player, Christina Pernia will add depth and push for playing time on defense as well.
Goalkeepers
The Terps' goalkeeping unit is a solid one, with the international experience of sophomore Kerry Hearsey, the athleticism of redshirt freshman Tori Cano, and the addition of Baltimore Sun Metro Player of the Year Christina Restivo.
 Sophomore Kerry Hearsey returns in goal for the Terrapins. |
|
Hearsey, from Leicester, England, is a former member of the British Under-21 squad who formed an excellent tandem with senior Ashley Hohnstine last season. Hearsey played enthusiastically for the Terps in 15 games, posting a 0.90 goals-against average and developing into one of the team's emotional leaders.
As a redshirt freshman, Cano benefited from her experience as a practice player and proved herself a capable netminder with a brilliant indoor spring season.
Restivo, the newcomer to the group, is both athletic and fit. She possesses the talent and maturity to contribute to the squad.
Newcomers
Joining Restivo in the Terps' incoming class is a pair of internationally accomplished athletes that will bolster Maryland's defensive efforts.
A native of Karlsruhe, Germany, Katrin Rummer comes to Maryland from the same area of the globe, and club team, as former Terp Caroline Walter. Rummer brings with her much experience as a former member of the German Under-21 squad, and a former captain of the Under-18 team. Rummer looks to contribute in the defensive midfield for the Terps, and has two seasons of athletic eligibility remaining.
"Katrin brings innate skills and experience to our team. Her experience through the competitive club system in Germany makes her so valuable to us," said Meharg.
Izzy Palmer, who recently was named to England's National Field Hockey team, comes to Maryland from "across the pond" looking to contribute to the Terps' defense. Palmer, who has one year of athletic eligibility remaining, will complete a second undergraduate degree in economics at Maryland before returning to England to train for the 2004 Olympics.
An offensive-defensive tandem of high school All-Americans also join the Terps for 2002, in Tiffany Marsh and Lauren Powley.
Marsh, who attended the same high school as all-time Terp leading scorer Carla Tagliente, comes to Maryland as a precise and calculating forward. The USFHA junior national team member destroyed all of Tagliente's high school scoring records before following her footsteps to College Park.
Powley, a brilliant and powerful defender, has played on virtually every level in the USFHA development program. Powley comes to the squad from the same talent-rich area of Mountaintop, Pennsylvania that brought Carissa Messimer and Sara Silvetti to Maryland.
Jackie Ciconte, the 2002 Delaware High School Athlete of the Year, is an aggressive athlete looking to contribute to Maryland's offense, as is New York all-state selection Lauren Foundos and Montgomery Journal all-county performer Leah Harner-Kerlavage. Maryland all-state selection Jen Hasemeier and Washington Post All-Met honoree Rachel Mesa will factor into the Terp success.
The Schedule
A challenging schedule lies ahead for the Terps in 2002. Early-season excitement includes a scrimmage with the U.S. National Team on Aug. 25, which now features four Maryland field hockey alums: Katie Kauffman-Beach, Carla Tagliente, Keli Smith and Dina Rizzo.
 2001 ACC and National Coach of the Year Missy Meharg has put together a competitive schedule for the young Terps in 2002. |
|
The Terps' perennially rigorous ACC slate opens on the road, with their first conference game on Sept. 21 at Wake Forest. The Terrapins then travel to Virginia on Oct. 6 before Duke comes to town on Oct. 12 and North Carolina visits on Oct. 26. Four out of the five ACC field hockey squads were 2001 NCAA tournament participants and finished among the top 10 in the NFHCA poll.
In all, nine of Maryland's 2002 regular season matches will be played against teams that finished in last season's NFHCA Top 20. Eight of those contests are against participants of the 2001 NCAA championship tournament, including two of the three other national semifinalist teams.
"We always try to schedule the best teams in the nation," said Meharg. "We play 13 home games, and we have the opportunity to play the national team. The schedule is great for the development of this new club."
