COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The NCAA and ACC Champion field hockey team open the 2006 campaign with a three-game road swing in the Golden State, beginning with the University of the Pacific on August. 26 on the campus of Stanford University.

The Terps, who were preseason ranked No. 1 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Top 20 Coaches Poll, remain in California until Aug. 29. Maryland plays Stanford on Aug. 27 and, after a rest day, close out the trip with the Bears from the University of California on Aug. 29.

Maryland returns 13 letterwinners from last year's championship squad, led by 2005 Honda Award winner Paula Infante (Santiago, Chile) and vice captain Kristina Edmonds (Emmaus, Pa.). Head coach Missy Meharg will also be beginning her 19th season at the helm, garnering NFHCA Coach of the Year honors last year for a record fifth time.

The Tigers captured the 2005 NorPac Conference regular season title. Receiving two votes in the preseason poll, Pacific opens the year against the Terrapins and welcomes back 21 letterwinners, including seven starters. UP is coached by ninth-year coach Linda McDonald.

Fourth-year head coach Leslie Irvine's Stanford Cardinal play the Terps after opening the season against the University of Massachusetts. The Cardinal also return the majority of the 7-14 squad from last season. Among the returnees are 12 letterwinners and eight starters.

The Bears host the champion Terps with two games of preparation. Maryland will be the second top-10 opponent Cal will face after taking on No. 6 American over the weekend. California is coming off a 12-8 season, capturing the NorPac Tournament title to reach the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Six starters return from last year's team and 19 latterwinners overall.

The Terps make their first trip to the state of California since the 2001 campaign.

-TERPS-