2005 Women's Soccer Preview, Part II
8/17/2005 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 17, 2005
College Park, Md. - The following is the second 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 defenders, goalkeepers and 2005 schedule.
2005 Maryland Women's Soccer Preview
Defense
While the Terps have nine newcomers on the team this season, the most important addition is the return of sophomore centerback Ashly Kennedy. The 2003 honorable mention freshman All-American missed the entire 2004 campaign with a knee injury, but returned for spring practices in better shape than she left in 2003.
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Along with Kennedy in the center of the Terp defense is underrated senior Lauren Krasko, who is a perfect blend of speed, quickness and strength. Even though she's not the biggest defender in the country at 5-5, Krasko is not afraid to throw her body around to make a play.
"Lauren is an excellent 1-v-1 defender," says Pensky. "She can run with the fastest players in the country. Lauren has been unheralded in this program, but she will be a critical component for us this year."
Providing depth at centerback will be sophomore Lauren Gamble, who did not see varsity action last year as a freshman, but is a strong, physical defender, who will be healthy for the first time in 16 months.
While the centerback spots are set, the outside defender positions are shaping up to be preseason battlegrounds. Senior Danielle Malagari returns at one wide defensive spot, but will be challenged for playing time by a host of freshmen. The Clarksburg, Md., native started all 20 games last season, assisting on two goals, and is at the top of the depth chart heading into the fall.
"I have been very pleased with the effort Danielle has put in this spring and summer," says Pensky. "She has been here working hard and it is becoming evident in her fitness level. Danielle is a great server of the ball and if she can be an up-and-down threat, she will be a huge factor this season."
Battling for the starting spot vacated by graduated senior Lindsay Niehaus are freshmen Aimee Bresani and Amanda Paizs, as well as several of the aforementioned midfielders.
"We're expecting Aimee and Mandy to be ready to come in and contribute right away," says Pensky. "They are versatile players who will each bring something to the table.
"Bottom line, we are looking for players that are able to get forward and attack out of the back, and at the same time, not forget about their defensive responsibilities."
Goalkeeper
One reason Coach Pensky can be confident in his defense is all-Mid-Atlantic goalkeeper Nikki Resnick, who was simply sensational for the Terps after transferring from Colorado.
 Nikki Resnick |
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"Nikki is a great goalkeeper," says Pensky. "It took people a little while to catch on last year, but by the end of the season they were starting to notice her and what she was doing.
"There are so many things about Nikki's game to love - she's a flyer, quick as a cat, great hands, and makes saves that no one expects or even thinks that she can make. She's one of the most unassuming players on the team, but she might be the most competitive."
Backing up Resnick will be junior Anna Sheveland, who missed the entire 2004 season due to a thumb injury.
"I'm glad that Anna will be healthy enough to compete this season," says Pensky. "I look forward to her challenging Nikki this fall."
Sophomore Lindsay Simpson will be forced to sit out the season after undergoing ankle surgery in August.
"Lindsay has had a rough year," says Pensky. "Hopefully things go well and she makes a full recovery. I'd love to see the day where a 100% healthy Lindsay Simpson suits up for this team."
Schedule
The Terps' 2004 schedule was the toughest in the country, and this season it looks to be that way again.
The ACC is the premier women's soccer conference in the country, with eight teams receiving bids to the NCAA Tournament last year. Add to that mix ACC newcomer Boston College, which advanced to the third round of the NCAAs out of the Big East, and the conference is even more competitive.
"There's never an easy game in the ACC," says Pensky. "But this year every game is even more important, because only the top eight teams advance to the ACC Tournament."
Maryland's ACC schedule is highlighted by home games vs. Wake Forest (Sept. 30), North Carolina (Oct. 2), NC State (Oct. 13), Virginia Tech (Oct. 19) and Boston College (Oct. 29). The Terps will travel to meet Clemson (Sept. 22), Florida State (Oct. 6), Miami (Oct. 9), Duke (Oct. 16) and Virginia (Oct. 23).
Before Pensky's troops even get to their conference schedule they have to get through a grueling non-conference lineup. After a season-opening homestand with Towson and Rhode Island, the Terps travel to the Notre Dame Invitational to play games against 2004 national champion Notre Dame and 2004 Big East champion Connecticut.
Maryland returns home for the Maryland/adidas Classic with Rutgers, Villanova and UC Santa Barbara, before wrapping up their non-conference schedule with Penn State and Yale.
"Our team's health will be a key to our success," says Pensky. "With a challenging schedule like this, we will be looking to go 14 to 18 players deep in most games."
