Aug. 15, 2005
College Park, Md. -
The following is the first part of a two-part installment previewing the University of Maryland women's soccer team for 2005. The Terrapins are less than two weeks away from their season opener vs. Towson on August 26 at Ludwig Field in College Park.
Today's installment takes a look at the Terrapin forwards and midfielders. Be sure to check back on Wednesday for a preview of the Terps defenders, goalkeepers and 2005 schedule.
2005 Maryland Women's Soccer Preview
It's easy to see why first-year head coach Brian Pensky is optimistic about the 2005 Maryland women's soccer team. The Terps return nine starters from a team that advanced to the NCAA's Sweet 16, defeated three top-10 teams and twice took perennial powerhouse North Carolina to double-overtime.
But Pensky also knows there is reason for cautious optimism - namely trying to incorporate his style of play, while taking on the toughest schedule in all of Division I women's soccer.
"There is so much to be excited about with this team," says Pensky, who took over the reins of the Terrapin program after Shannon Higgins-Cirovski stepped down last spring. "We have tremendous soccer players, some of the best in the nation at their positions.
"But you just never know how a team is going to come together until they actually get on the field and have to perform. And with our schedule there really isn't any time to waste. That said, we have some good leaders on this team who want to take this program in the right direction."
A quick glance can tell anyone that the Terps lose only two defenders from their starting 11 from 2004, but that doesn't mean it will be easy to pencil in a lineup. A new coach brings new ideas and a new style of play, which Pensky says will be a work in progress throughout the season.
"We're going to have to see where people fit in with the style we want to play," says Pensky. "We have a lot of players who can be successful at more than one position in more than one formation, and we're going to try to take advantage of all our options."
With that in mind, here's a breakdown of the 2005 Terps women's soccer team:
Forwards
A year ago, Maryland's offense had to pick its spots and be opportunistic due to a lack of depth created by injuries. The result was just 23 goals in 20 games. This season, Pensky's team will not lack for firepower up front with three-time All-ACC honoree Kimmy Francis leading the charge.
The senior from Richboro, Pa., was second on the team in 2004 with 17 points and six goals, while leading the squad with five assists. Francis' career at Maryland has been slowed somewhat by nagging injuries, yet she has made a steady climb up the record books. She currently ranks among the top 10 in career points (7th, 57), goals (8th, 19), game-winning goals (T-3rd, 8), assists (T-4th, 19) and shots (T-3rd, 172).
"Kimmy is one of the most creative offensive players in the ACC," says Pensky. "She does some special things on the field that makes the team better. She can make things happen herself or she can create for her teammates."
Francis' running-mate up top is expected to be sophomore Kelly Rozumalski. The Middleburgh, N.Y., native was an ACC all-freshman team selection last year after scoring three goals and firing 42 shots, despite being hindered with leg problems for much of the latter part of the season. Rozumalski is a gifted finisher, with the speed to create space and open up passing lanes for Francis.
Senior Melissa Anderson will also be in the mix at forward. After missing each of the last two seasons with separate knee injuries, the Annapolis, Md., native is, according to Pensky, ready to finish off her career in the right way.
A few freshmen will also provide depth at forward. After missing her senior season at The Bullis School with a knee injury, Kimmy Bunting has rehabbed and played with the Bethesda Excel club team this summer, helping lead them to nationals for the third straight year. Kaila Sciascia is a skillful and intelligent player, who was a member of the U-17 Region I team and was a call-up to the U-17 National team.
"Kimmy Bunting and Kaila, although they are freshmen, both bring high-level experience to the table. I expect both of them to get on the field this season ... it might just be a question fo where."
In addition to Anderson, Bunting and Sciascia, freshman Lauren Sands and several midfielders could also see time at forward throughout the season.
"Kimmy Francis and Kelly complement each other well," says Pensky. "We know those two are capable of creating scoring opportunities for themselves, each other and our midfielders when they come forward. We also have several midfielders who can play up top, which gives us some flexibility in how we want to play and how we can attack our opponents."
Midfield
The deepest position on the roster starts with one of the most dominant players in all of college soccer. Mallory Mahar earned first team All-ACC honors last season after leading the Terps with 22 points on nine goals and four assists. A physical presence, the senior from Medina, Ohio, can take over a game and has a knack for making the big play, as evidenced by her four game-winning goals in 2004.
"Opposing coaches will agree that Mal is a handful," says Pensky. "She is great in the air at both the offensive and defensive ends. She's willing to put her body at risk in the final third of the field to get on the end of a cross."
Also in center midfield is sophomore
Nataly Arias has made a name for herself across the country with her fluid style. The sophomore from Alexandria, Va., was a third team freshman All-American by SoccerBuzz after finishing third on the squad with eight points on two goals and four assists. Her strong right leg was showcased with a 35-yard scoring blast that tied No. 14 Florida State, 1-1.
"Nataly is an extremely technical player," says Pensky. "What most people don't realize is that she is also one of the hardest working individuals on the team. I have no doubt that's going to continue and she will progress into a special player."
On the wings, Pensky is looking for players who can get forward and stretch opposing defenses, and he's got the perfect outside midfielder for that scheme in Simone Dekker. The senior from Ringwood, N.J., who was tied for fourth on the team in points and goals a year ago, has both the speed and quickness to extend defenders and still recover to support on the defensive end. Also capable of playing forward, Dekker is on the verge of cracking the school's top 20 lists for career points and goals.
"The thing we like about Simone is that she can flat out run all day long," says Pensky. "She is extremely consistent. You know what you're going to get with Simone and there is tremendous value in that."
The other outside midfielder spot will be up for grabs during fall camp, but among the contenders is sophomore Stevie Dunning, who tallied two assists despite suffering through numerous injuries during her freshman season that limited her playing time.
"Stevie could also be used as a central midfielder or as an attacking wingback," says Pensky. "She's going to surprise some people this season."
Junior college transfer Melissa Heintz will be looking to carve out playing time in the midfield. A second team All-American at Santa Rosa JC, Heintz scored 14 goals to go along with 13 assists. She could also see time at forward.
Junior Sarah Sample is expected to make a bid for playing time in the midfield as well. A tall player with good skills, Sample is another attacking player that could fit Pensky's style of play well. The transfer was an All-Atlantic 10 honoree in 2004 at George Washington after leading the Colonials with 14 points on six goals and two assists.
"Sarah is extremely versatile," says Pensky. "She's a valuable player because she can play anywhere in the midfield or as a second striker."
Providing depth in the midfield will be sophomores Shelly McDuff, who saw action in 17 games as a freshman with three starts, and Jacquie Shields, senior Laura Desobry, and freshman Hannah Madej.
"I feel very good about our midfielders," says Pensky. "We have several of the best center midfielders in the country and a number of options for the outside positions. For the first time in a few seasons, this position has depth, as I expect Shelly, Jacquie, Lauren and Hannah all to compete for playing time."
