2009 Season Preview: Maryland Hopes Depth, Experience Lead to Postseason Run

Carl Salyer has lofty goals for the 2009 season. With the University of Maryland playing host to this year's NCAA Championship, Salyer wants his team to defend its pool.

There has never been a better opportunity. With 22 wins and a fourth-place finish at the CWPA Eastern Championships, last season was the best in Maryland's five-year history. The Terrapins return 14 players, including nine seniors, all seven starters, and the top six all-time scorers.

"This is where we've been aiming for the last four years," said Salyer, who is in his fifth year as head coach. "My first recruiting class is going to be seniors and they've gotten three solid years of Division I polo under their belt.

"Their leadership is just going to be stellar, most of them have started or played starter minutes for this team for three years. I'm looking for that experience both in and out of the pool."

While the seniors will be the focus of the team, Salyer is excited about the prospects of this year's freshmen and sophomores.

"We've got some really good additions to add to them over the last couple years, including this freshman class which had an great fall," Salyer said. "We've got a great inside-outside game. Working that bodes well not only for this year but for the future as well

"The sophomore class will benefit from playing a lot last year as freshmen, they can benefit from the senior class's leadership, and they're going to benefit from the freshmen class being so good and pushing them from underneath. I think those three things are really going to propel them to a new level.

The Terps should adapt to many styles of play.

"We're very mobile and we're very deep. We're going to attack in everything that we do, not only offensively but we're going to attack defensively and try to force the other team's hand."

Salyer understands that breaking into the ranks of the Eastern elite is no easy task, but the team has the ultimate motivation.

"It's a lofty goal because our conference is as competitive as ever. Indiana is always going to be good, Princeton is always going to be good, Hartwick is going to be good, Michigan is coming off a championship and is the favorite. We're right there, we're competitive, and we've got our eyes on the prize, the Eastern Championship. We want to play in the NCAA Championship in our own pool."

CENTER

Senior Rachel Jordan had a record-breaking season for the Terps in 2008, setting Maryland single-season marks with 65 goals and 86 points. She scored efficiently, at a stunning .385 shooting percentage, and in the clutch.

"Rachel Jordan had some really big games last year" said Salyer. "At the times we absolutely needed someone to make a play, she seemed to be there." Sophomore Allison Beck started at the other post position, where she put up 28 goals and drew 24 kickouts.

Also expected to push for time will be sophomore Jessica Ernst and freshman Carly Hoshko. Ernst was productive in limited action last season, scoring 13 goals on only 26 shots.

CENTER DEFENDER

The Terps have one of the premier defenders in the nation in Christen Vagts. She started in 34 of 38 games last season, posting 58 steals and winning the team's Defensive Player of the Year award.

Salyer thinks highly of Vagts, calling her "one of the best two-meter defenders certainly on the East Coast, if not in the country, and she'll help anchor our defense."

While freshman Christine Goetsch will have a larger role in the future, Salyer views this year as "an opportunity to work with Christen at the position."

ATTACK

Maryland returns a balanced attack that scores with deadly efficiency. Last season, eight players scored 20 or more goals and the Terps shot .370 as a team.

Senior co-captain Blaise Stanicic got the offense started last year, as she shattered the school's single-season record with 44 assists. Elizabeth Hopkins had personal bests with 54 steals and a .318 shooting percentage. Hopkins enters her final season as Maryland's career points leader.

The lone junior on the squad, Shannon Simerly had a team-best 62 steals and finished third with 49 goals. Senior Bryndis Klein chipped in with 20 goals with a record .455 shooting percentage. Co-captain Laurel Laidlaw will contribute her strong vision and experience at any position in the pool.

Senior Jill Lau and sophomore Meghan Powers play with passion and provide the team a spark off the bench.

The Terps also added six new faces on attack and utility to bring youth and depth to the core of seniors. Freshmen Callan Rowe and Elina Goldenberg along with sophomore transfer Colleen Shaw all won All-America honors multiple times in high school. Newcomers Alexandra Gurnee, Christine Goetsch, and Samantha Seikkula will also compete for time in the water.

GOALKEEPER

Salyer has little concern between the pipes as Ashleigh Jobson emerged as one of the top goalkeepers in the region last season.

"Ashleigh Jobson was probably our most consistent performer on the team last season," Salyer said. "I would like to see her take that next step forward and solidify herself not only on the team, but as one of the best goalies on the East Coast. She anchors our defense and directs our offense."

Freshmen Shelby Reyes and Leanne Spedding will see time in reserve.