Updated Regularly
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - (August 27) Welcome back to the Women's Soccer notebook. The Terps got their season off to a great start last Saturday with a decisive 5-0 win over a solid George Mason team. The Maryland youth movement was very noticeable. Check out these notes:
• A total of 19 Terps saw the field - 12 of those were either freshmen or sophomores.
• Six of the Terps' starting 11 were either freshmen (2) or sophomores (4).
• Maryland players totaled 19 points in the win with 10 of those going to freshmen.
While it may be too early to proclaim this team one of the best in school history (it's a long season), the signs are there that this is a much different Maryland team than those of the recent past. It's safe to say that this team won't average five goals per game, but the offensive firepower is there. The team speed and athleticism is evident. One thing that is certain is that this will be a fun team to watch this season.
One other thing that was noticeable when watching the season opener is that this team has a little attitude - not in a bad way, but in a "we're not going to roll over for anyone" way. In order to be successful at this level, teams need to have that attitude and it looks like this Terps team has it.
Like most team sports that attitude starts on defense and for the Terps, all fans have to do is watch Mary Casey play. The junior center back is one of the most competitive players in recent memory and almost dares teams to try to bring the ball through her area. It's that type of attitude and confidence that will rub off on a young team.
A lot of things stood out (a 5-0 win tends to make that happen), but here's a few that really stood out from the press box:
• The combination of Erika Theisen and Becky Kaplan at the defensive midfield spot could be a very good one. These are two good soccer players and are very good athletes. It also helps that Theisen plays with that attitude we mentioned above.
• There is depth to this team. We mentioned that 19 players saw the field. That's not even taking into account that several Terps that would probably have seen time didn't because of minor injuries.
• With all of the space given to the newcomers it would be irresponsible not to mention the good showings turned in by seniors Nataly Arias, Amanda Paizs and Kaila Sciascia. It's nice to see Arias, who was named team captain prior to the season, embracing her leadership role. She's the lone holdover from the 2004 team that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 and is still one of the ACC's best midfielders. Arias can provide a steadying presence to this youthful squad when the road gets tougher as the season wears on.
Keep an eye out tomorrow for game notes for this weekend's matches against Bucknell (Aug. 29, 7 p.m.) and Elon (Aug. 31, 6 p.m.). As always we'll have recaps and stats following every match here on umterps.com.
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August 7
Camp has started and that means that so has the 2008 season for the University of Maryland women's soccer team.
After a week of voluntary conditioning workouts (that were attended by all 31 members of this year's team), headed by team captain Nataly Arias, the Terps finally were able to hit the field officially.
The morning began with the grueling "beep test." Don't know what the "beep test" is? Here's the description from topendsports.com:
"This test involves continuous running between two lines 20m apart in time to recorded beeps. For this reason the test if also often called the 'beep' test. The test subjects stand behind one of the lines facing the second line, and begin running when instructed by the cd or tape. The speed at the start is quite slow. The subject continues running between the two lines, turning when signaled by the recorded beeps. After about one minute, a sound indicates an increase in speed, and the beeps will be closer together. This continues each minute (level). If the line is not reached in time for each beep, the subject must run to the line turn and try to catch up with the pace within 2 more `beeps'. Also, if the line is reached before the beep sounds, the subject must wait until the beep sounds. The test is stopped if the subject fails to reach the line (within 2 meters) for two consecutive ends. There are several versions of the test, but one commonly used version has an initial running velocity of 8.5 km/hr, which increases by 0.5 km/hr each minute."
It's certainly not easy; especially with the level needed to be considered fit enough for training for the Maryland women's soccer program.
After that it was finally time to get the soccer balls out and get to work. Some simple drills designed to get the players' touch back were followed by some very physical 1v1 competitions. The tone of the season was set from the first session - this Terps team will be ready to compete. The squad finished up its first practice with some 1v1 finishing drills.
Following the session Arias was please with what she saw. "We are all so excited to come back and have a clean slate. We're ready to focus on having a successful season. We have so much depth and talent on this team right now and it's a great atmosphere to compete in. We're all looking forward to taking this program to new heights."
Some impressive performances were notable during the short first practice:
• Ashley Grove's ability to strike a hard shot from any point during her dribble
• Jasmyne Spencer's speed was on display as she showed that all she needs is one step to get behind a defender
• Molly Dreska was back and didn't appear to miss a beat after missing all of 2007 with a knee injury
• Arias' confidence and experience was clearly evident
• Maureen Dowling showed off her great left foot more than once, but was denied more than once by the post
That's just some of what happened during the first practice. We'll keep Terp fans posted throughout the summer with all of the happenings as Maryland prepares for its 2008 season.
Don't forget, the first scrimmage is just a week away as the Terps will host the Georgetown Hoyas, a 2007 NCAA Tournament team, at Ludwig Field on Wednesday, August 13 at 7 p.m.
February 25
Two newcomers for the 2008 season, freshman Lydia Hasting, who is already enrolled at Maryland, and incoming freshman Sade Ayinde, performed brilliantly at the U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team Training Camp last week.
Hastings scored three goals and had an assist in the team's four matches, while Ayinde netted a goal in the team's 4-2 win over UCLA.
Below are some match notes about the future Terrapins:
Game 1: U.S. U-18 2, Cal South Boys 1
Ayinde played 90 minutes at left back.
Game 2: U.S. U-18 3, Pepperdine 0
Hastings played 90 minutes as a right wing, scored one goal on a breakaway, and had another called back due to offsides - a one-time finish off the crossbar. Laurie Nosbusch and Lauren Alwine scored the other U.S. goals.
Game 3. U.S. U-18 4, UC-Irvine 1
Hastings and Ayinde both played 90 minutes, at right wing and left back, respectively. Hastings scored two goals, one off a breakaway on a slotted ball from Caitlin Mooney; and the other off a loose ball in the box that she slammed into the back of the net. Hastings also assisted on Caitlin Mooney's blast from 25 yards out. The 4th goal for the U.S. came off a shot from Casey Short that deflected off a UC-Irvine defender and into the goal.
Game 4. U.S. U-18 4, UCLA 2
Ayinde played 90 minutes at left back and scored a goal, and Hastings played 15 minutes at right wing. Toni Pressley (2), and Laurie Nosbusch scored the other U.S. goals.
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Below is the official release from U.S. Soccer.
CARSON, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2008) - The newly re-instated U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team swept matches against three Southern California college teams last week and will now focus on its first international competition of the year, traveling to La Manga, Spain, from March 7-16, where the U.S. U-23s played last month.
In a get-together that features U-19 Women's National Teams from Denmark, England, France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and Norway, the U.S. U-18s will play three matches against teams preparing for qualifying matches for the European U-19 Women's Championships. The USA will face Sweden's U-19s on March 10, take on Norway's U-19s on March 12 and finish with an always-talented France U-19 side on March 14.
The U.S. U-18s warmed up for the trip to Spain with three matches played in cold temperatures at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Last week. The USA defeated Pepperdine, 3-0, downed UC Irvine 4-1, and then gutted out a 4-2 win over UCLA on the final day of training camp.
Against Pepperdine on Feb. 19, the USA got first half goals from Lauren Alwine, Laurie Nosbusch and Lydia Hastings for the victory. Against the Anteaters on Feb. 21, the USA got first-half goals from Beth West and Caitlin Mooney while Hastings added two scores after the break. The match against the Bruins on Feb. 23 was back-and-forth with the U-18s opening the scoring off a blast from Sade Ayinde in the 16th minute. UCLA scored twice to take a 2-1 lead, but Nosbusch equalized right before halftime. With the match seemingly cruising toward a draw, Toni Pressley struck for two goals in the final 12 minutes to seal the win.
U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team Training Camp Results
Feb. 19 | Pepperdine | 3-0 W | Alwine, Nosbusch, Hastings
Feb. 21 | UC Irvine | 4-1 W | West, Mooney, Hastings (2)
Feb. 23 | UCLA | 4-2 W | Ayinde, Nosbusch, Pressley (2)
February 15
The future is looking bright for the Maryland women's soccer program. Two newcomers for the 2008 season, freshman Lydia Hasting, who is already enrolled at Maryland, and incoming freshman Sade Ayinde have been invited to attend the U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team Training Camp.
"We're excited for both players," said Terps' head coach Brian Pensky. "Ironically, the first time we saw Lydia play was at the Interregional Event in Boca in 2006. She was playing striker along side Sade. After watching them both score multiple goals in that event, we spent the next three months recruiting the two of them; before they committed one week apart from each other last February. Now seeing them together in the national team environment gives us a glimpse of things to come here at Maryland."
The eight-day camp will run from February 17-24 in Carson, Calif., and will feature 24 of the brightest young stars in the U.S. The featured contest of the camp will be a match with UCLA, which has been to three straight College Cups.
Here's the info on Ayinde and Hastings from the Terps' recent national signing day release.
Sade Ayinde (F): A forward from Mepham High School in Bellmore, N.Y. ... named the 29th best recruit in the nation, according to Rise Magazine ... 2007 NSCAA/adidas Youth All-American ... currently a member of the US U18 National pool ... member of the U14, U16, and U17 National team player pools ... member of the Region I team since 2002 ... six-year member of the Eastern N.Y. ODP team ... 2007 NYSSCOGS third team all-state ... three time all-county selection ... plays for the East Meadow Shooting Stars club team along with future Maryland teammate Becky Kaplan ... named team MVP in 2004 and 2006 ... also competes on the Mepham track and field team ... chose Maryland over Connecticut, Rutgers and Penn.
Lydia Hastings (F/M): A forward/midfielder from Cape Henlopen High School in Rehoboth Beach, Del. ... three-time all-state honoree ... currently a member of the US U18 National pool ... member of the Region I ODP team ... plays for the AC Diablos in the Women's Premier Soccer League ... scored eight goals for the Diablos to lead them to the Mid-Atlantic Conference title and the Eastern Championship game ... chose Maryland over Boston College, Connecticut and Villanova.
February 14, 2008
Welcome to the Maryland women's soccer notebook. Here you'll find out about the latest news, notes and happenings with the Terrapin women's soccer team.
First up is the 2008 spring schedule:
Sunday, March 30 vs. George Washington - 5 p.m.
Friday, April 4 vs. Georgetown - 6:15 p.m.
Sunday, April 6 at Rutgers - 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 vs. Penn - 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 19 vs. Canadian U19 National Team at Penn State - 2:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25 vs. West Virginia - 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 26 vs. Terps' Women's Soccer Alumnae - 3 p.m.
Highlighting the schedule is the match with the Mountaineers, who advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals last season. Penn and Georgetown also made it into the NCAA Tournament in 2007. The Quakers lost in the first round to James Madison, while the Hoyas dropped an opening round match to William & Mary.
Maryland returns 20 letterwinners from last season's squad and welcomes back 2006 letterwinner Molly Dreska, who missed all of 2007 after undergoing knee surgery. Also playing for the Terps this spring will be 2008 freshman Lydia Hastings, who is already enrolled and taking classes at Maryland.
