2006 Women's Soccer Outlook
8/17/2006 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 17, 2006
College Park, Md. - Maryland's women's soccer program will look to make a run at its 10th NCAA tournament bid in 2006 as head coach Brian Pensky rebuilds the Terps into the team he envistIt's easy to look at Maryland's 5-11-3 record a season ago and dismiss the Terps as an NCAA caliber team. But those that follow collegiate women's soccer know that 2005 was an anomaly for the Terrapins and that Maryland has all of the weapons, offensively and defensively, to make a run into late November.
"Last year was difficult for a number of reasons," says Pensky. "I took over just before last summer, and therefore having no real familiarity with our players coming into the season. We had the most difficult schedule of any team in the country, and we lost a number of impact players due to injury before and during the fall."
The biggest question mark about the Terps this year will be in the offensive third of the field. Maryland's leading scorer from last year, Kimmy Francis (3G, 4A), was lost to graduation. A lot of the offensive woes for the 2005 Terps had to do with losing All-American midfielder Mallory Mahar to a season-ending knee injury in the fifth game of the season. In addition, sophomore attacking stand-outs Kelly Rozumalski and Nataly Arias were both hampered by injuries all season long.
"We're excited about the attacking options we have this fall," Pensky says. "If all goes as planned, we'll have a number of players competing for playing time in attacking roles."
The strength of this year's team will once again be a tenacious defense, which will be anchored by first team All-ACC goalkeeper Nikki Resnick and junior centerback Ashly Kennedy, who is an honors candidate in her own right. Maryland allowed 31 goals last season, but 10 of those came in two losses to teams that were ranked No. 1 in the nation at the time. The Terps also had the misfortune, as it turned out, of playing the No. 1 toughest schedule of all Division I teams.
"It's no coincidence that our two captains this fall are our goalkeeper and centerback - the two areas of the field where degree of accountability is vital," says Pensky. "Nikki and Ashly are incredibly responsible, and they both lead by example in their want to compete. And those ingredients are important for any leader."
Here's a quick look at the 2006 Terps by position:
Forward
Francis has now graduated and has taken with her 22 career goals and 23 career assists. While there is not one single player that will fill her shoes, Pensky will rely on a solid stable of forwards to spearhead the Terrapins' offensive attack.
Junior forward Rozumalski is the most experienced forward on the team. Look for a return to her 2004 form after struggling through most of last season with nagging leg injuries.
Sophomore Kimmy Bunting started in three different positions for the Terps in 2005, including posting a shutout as an emergency goalkeeper, but should be able to settle in at forward this year, which is her natural position.
Two-time National JUCO POY and u20 US National Pool player Melissa Hornfeck will look to make an impact right away. She can play as a withdrawn forward, and might see time in that role. Hornfeck will also play as an attacking central or wide midfielder. Last year at Monroe she scored 14 goals despite missing much of the season with an injury.
Sarah Benson, a freshman from Baton Rouge, La., fancies herself as wide winger in a three-front - she certainly has the pace to get behind defenses in that role.
A trio of sophomores will also be in the mix at forward. Kaila Sciascia showed flashes of brilliance last season, but was unlucky finishing her shots and did not post a goal during her rookie campaign. Lauren Sands was a solid contributor off the bench for the Terps in 2005 and could provide an offensive spark this season. Stephanie MacCormack, who will be in her first year with the Terrapins after transferring from Rutgers, played in 15 games for the Scarlet Knights and scored one goal.
"We're fortunate to have players with different qualities in our attack," says Pensky. "We have players like Roz, Lauren Sands and Sarah Benson who can get behind teams with their speed, while we also have personalities like Sciascia, Sample, Hornfeck, and Bunting whose craftiness can break down an opponent."
Midfield
The midfield started out as the deepest position on the field for the Terps heading into last season, but it was decimated by injuries. With that experience fresh in his mind, Pensky recruited several midfielders and is now stocked with fresh and exciting talent to go along with some battle-tested veterans.
Arias was expected the have a breakout season in 2005, but was never able to get things on track due to injuries. She still managed to finish second on the team in scoring, but is looking to regain her place among the elite midfielders in the ACC this season. Arias, when healthy and fit, is among the top center-midfielders in the country.
Sarah Sample settled in at outside midfield midway through last season and is expected to play a key role again this year. Sample will also compete for one of the central roles in the midfield. The senior is in her second season with the Terps after transferring from George Washington prior to the 2005 season. She will look to return to the form she showed as a Colonial when she averaged five goals and nearly three assists per season.
Stevie Dunning was never an option for Coach Pensky last season as the talented midfielder was lost before the season started with an ankle injury. Following off-season surgery, that injury is healed and Dunning looks to make the move to center midfield after spending her freshman campaign out wide. Dunning is a technical, ball-winning center-midfielder.
Melissa Heintz transferred to Maryland with much promise. The JUCO All-American scored 14 goals and added 13 assists for Santa Rosa JC in 2004, but she was never able to get on track last season as she was hindered by compartment syndrome. She is recovered from off-season surgery to repair the problem and is looking to finish her collegiate career in proper fashion.
Shelley McDuff suffered through both compartment syndrome and an ankle injury in 2005. She too is recovered from off-season surgery and will provide depth and leadership as a junior this season. McDuff's ability to keep possession for the Terps in the midfield should be an asset this fall.
Molly Dreska and Emily Maynard are highly skilled players who could work their way into seeing playing time sooner rather than later. Dreska has an engine that doesn't quit to match her ability to see the field well. Dreska has played as a forward for her club team and regional team. Her versatility really excites the coaching staff. Maynard is a soccer junkie. A very technical center-midfielder and natural leader, she possesses an innate want to win that cannot be taught. Maynard's ability to find teammates in behind the defense will make her an attractive option from the start.
Maureen Dowling and Brittany Cummins are box to box wide midfielders. Their ability to get up and down the flank while providing quality service will allow the Terps to attack from various spots on the field.
Sample and Heintz could also see time at forward as well, while Cummins could compete as an attacking wide back in a four-back.
"I like our midfield a lot," says Pensky. "We have wide players in Heintz, Cummins, Benson and Dowling that can get up and down the flank; as well as a number of individuals like Dreska, Maynard, Hornfeck, McDuff and Sample in the middle of midfield that can help keep the ball for us. In addition to their technical abilities, Arias and Dunning give us a ball-winning presence."
Defense
On paper the Terp defense looks to be Maryland's thinnest position, but it could be its strongest. Three-year starter Lauren Krasko is now graduated and is the only loss to a unit that posted six shutouts in 2005.
Kennedy returns at the center of the back to lead the Terrapin defense as a junior. Kennedy was forced to play some center midfielder last season after Mahar went down, but looks to reassert her dominance as one of the nations top defenders this season.
The other centerback position is open for competition heading into the season. Aimee Bresani had an outstanding spring season as a freshman. Bresani is quite versatile, and can play in a number of spots - however the coaches believe that her grittiness and defensive nature could win her the position along-side Kennedy. Bresani started all 18 games in which she played as a true freshman.
Junior Lauren Gamble has worked hard in the off-season to improve her conditioning and her experience in the Maryland program could help her win the job.
On the outside Coach Pensky likes for his wide defenders to be able to not only defend, but to push forward and contribute on the offensive side of the field if the opportunity presents itself. Amanda Paizs fits that description perfectly. She started six of the team's final seven games last season and earned the respect of her coaches and teammates with her work ethic and toughness.
"We place a lot of responsibility on Ashly in the back," says Pensky. "Of course some of that burden is lifted by Nikki's presence in goal. It will be interesting to see who grabs not only these spots in the back, but the positions up for grab in all parts of the field.
"Sarah Sample started the first five games last season as a wide back, and Lauren Gamble started every game in the spring on the outside - so there is no lack of experience in that position for Maryland. If need be, Kimmy Bunting's ability to read the game would be an asset in the back third. "
Goalkeeping
Resnick returns for her senior season after earning first team All-ACC honors in 2005 after leading the conference with 115 saves and posting three shutouts over ACC opponents. The unquestioned leader of this team, Resnick has stopped 115 shots in each of her two seasons in College Park.
While everyone knows what to expect out of Resnick, the Terps do not have a proven keeper to back her up. Anna Sheveland graduated early and did not return to the squad this season, while injuries forced Lindsay Simpson to leave the team.
That's where Maryland welcomes freshman Mary Casey as the team's only back-up keeper. Casey is a highly touted prospect and has all of the physical tools to perform once called upon. She has played the last two summers with the Washington Freedom Soccer Club.
"Nikki is Nikki, and she's going to once again be great - she has worked very hard in the off-season to limit the severity of her back pain," says Pensky. "We are excited to see Mary Casey develop. She has a tremendous upside; once under Ali's tutelage, she will flourish."
Schedule
The Terps' faced the toughest schedule in the country in each of the past two seasons. The 2006 schedule is once again filled with tough games against quality opponents, including 10 teams that were in the NCAA tournament last year.
The ACC is widely regarded as the toughest women's soccer conference in the country and that isn't going to change this season. North Carolina's recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the nation, according to SoccerBuzz, while Duke's class came in third in the country. Virginia (11), Wake Forest (14), Clemson (15), Florida State (20) and Boston College (21) were all among the top 25 recruiting classes as well.
Maryland's ACC schedule is highlighted by home games vs. Clemson (Sept. 21), 2005 NCAA College Cup participant Florida State (Oct. 5), Miami (Oct. 8), Duke (Oct. 14) and Virginia (Oct. 22). The Terps will travel to meet Wake Forest (Sept. 28), North Carolina (Oct. 1), NC State (Oct. 11), Virginia Tech (Oct. 20) and Boston College (Oct. 27).
Before Maryland even gets to its conference schedule they have to get through a challenging non-conference lineup. The Terps open the season at the Penn State Classic with matches with SEC contender Tennessee (Aug. 25) and two-time NCAA runner-up UCLA (Aug. 27), which will be looking for some revenge after losing to Maryland at the 2004 Virginia Soccer Classic.
Maryland then opens up its home schedule with games against Towson (Sept. 1) and UMBC (Sept. 3) before heading up to New Hampshire for a meeting with Dartmouth (Sept. 8). The Terps return home for games against Loyola (Sept. 12) and Stony Brook (Sept. 15) and wrap-up their non-conference slate at George Mason (Sept. 17).
"We have put together another quality schedule," says Pensky. "From the opening tournament at Penn State to games against some of the top teams in the CAA, Ivy League and MAAC, we look forward to every challenge this fall. In addition, the ACC this fall will be stronger than ever. We look to get Maryland soccer back where it belongs - the NCAA tournament and beyond."
