Feb. 15, 2010

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, the Maryland field hockey team announced today the addition of five incoming freshmen to the squad. The class of 2014 will assist the Terps in carrying on their tradition of success.

"The Maryland coaching staff and team are extremely proud of this class. From a positional standpoint, it is very well balanced with high school All Americans in the goal cage (Hunter) and at center forward (Witmer)," Maryland head coach Missy Meharg said. "On behalf of the Department of Athletics we welcome Ali, Natalie, Jill, Shelby and Brooke and their families to the University of Maryland."

The Terrapins welcome Brooke Cabrera (Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich High School), Natalie Hunter (Marmora, N.J./Ocean City HS), Ali McEvoy (Gilbertsville, Pa/Boyertown HS), Shelby Sydnor (Rosemont, Pa./Radnor HS) and Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa/Homeschool) as Maryland field hockey student-athletes.

Two of the incoming student-athletes are already enrolled on campus as grey shirt athletes. Natalie Hunter and Ali McEvoy arrived in College Park earlier this semester to begin preparing for next season. The other three signees will join the Terps in August.

Natalie Hunter is a two-time All-State goalie, including the South Jersey goalkeeper of the year, for this past season. Also a Regional All-American and second team All-American, Hunter also led her team to the New Jersey State title in 2009. Her team won the Cape Atlantic League all four years of her career and three-time South Jersey champions.

Hunter's high school coach, Trish LeFever said, "Natalie played a huge part in our four league, three sectional and state championships. Her 53 shutouts rank her at the top of our career shut our list. Her All America, All State, regional and league honors are greatly deserved. More important, her leadership, athleticism, commitment to excellence, work ethic and drive have made her one of the most formidable athletes I have coached in 29 years. I am incredibly proud of her as a young lady, of her accomplishments and her decision to choose the University of Maryland to further her academic and athletic pursuits."

Why I chose Maryland: "As a young goalie, I knew that UMD was a power house field hockey team so it was a dream to go here, though I never saw the campus. When I walked into UMD's campus for the first time, I fell in love. I knew that it was where I wanted to go to college. The team (coaches and players) is so welcoming, the education is good, and the campus is beautiful."

Freeman on Hunter: "Natalie has the natural athletic ability and knowledge of deep defense tactics to make her presence in the goal cage known. Her tenacity, coupled with top notch work rate, will challenge her teammates and herself in every training environment. We welcome Natalie as a Terp and we look forward to working with her this upcoming season."

McEvoy, also a four-year letterwinner, was team MVP at Boyertown in 2008 and led the team in scoring in 2006, 2008 and 2009. She was named to the All-Area and All-PAC 10 teams in each of those three years and earned a spot on the All-State team in 2006 and 2008. McEvoy has also competed in the Futures program for the last five years and competed on both the National Under-16 and Under-19 teams, in addition to being a member of the 2006 Junior Olympic team.

Brian Hope, McEvoy's coach at Xcalibur field hockey, said, "As a player, Ali works tirelessly to achieve the goals she sets for herself. Additionally, after seeking advice from different coaches, she works diligently to follow through on instructions in order to maximize her potential. It is with great excitement that I look ahead to the next four years as Ali represents the team of her dreams, the University of Maryland field hockey."

Why I chose Maryland: "I wanted a college that was known for having an excellent education program and Maryland does. I also wanted a large campus and did not want to go too far from home. I love hockey, so I wanted a nationally ranked top level Division I field hockey college, a fantastic field hockey program that yearly contends for the National Championship with a phenomenal coaching staff that will help me be a part of and contribute to the success of their outstanding program and also help me to reach my potential and personal goals as a student athlete."

Meharg on McEvoy: "Ali has been a Terp fan and potential Terp athlete for years. Like Ellen Ott, Sarah Scholl, Colleen Gulick and Katie O'Donnell, Ali has been technically and tactically trained at a very high level through her XCalibur club. As a member of the USA National Indoor team, Ali has the game maturity to make the transition to the Maryland defensive unit comfortable."

Jill Witmer, an incoming offensive threat at center forward, was named the 2008 and 2009 New Era Player of the Year. She comes to College Park as a two-time first team All-American and she was named to the state of Pennsylvania's first team the last three years. She was the first player in the Penn Manor league to score over 100 career goals. She ended her career with 112 goals and 72 assists.

She won a gold medal with the Futures U-19 team last year, attended Junior National camps, and was an Olympic Development selection. She played with both the U-19 and U-21 national teams.

Matt Soto, Witmer's high school coach, said, "Jill has rewritten the record books for scoring at Penn Manor High School and helped to take the program to unprecedented heights. Jill is remarkably fast and has uncanny scoring ability, plus she is a kind and friendly teammate."

Witmer's club coach, Denise Gobrecht, said, "Jill is a player that comes along in a coach's career once in a lifetime. She is the best player I have had the opportunity to work with in my 33 years of field hockey coaching. Her speed, athleticism and determination separate her from the rest and puts her at a higher level. She makes other players around her better and raises the level of their play and the game. I am very excited for Jill and am looking forward to supporting the University of Maryland's field hockey program and Jill in the next four years."

Why I chose Maryland: "I chose Maryland because of their successful field hockey program and their level of play. The moment I met the coaches I knew this is where I wanted to go. I felt they were honest and their passion for the game was evident. I knew I was going to become a better field hockey player through their program. Besides playing field hockey for them, I felt they were really interested in seeing me become a well-rounded individual through my experience at Maryland."

Meharg on Witmer: "Jill is an extraordinary female athlete. When I first saw Jill play I was immediately attracted to her natural speed, quick hands and outrageous level of competition. She thrives on winning. Jill is mentally versatile and her feisty, yet quiet, character is a perfect fit for Maryland. We are honored that Jill and her family will join the Maryland hockey program."

Cabrera was a four-year varsity letterwinner at Greenwich High School, where she starred in goal and led her team to two state championships (2005 and 2009). She was named All-Conference in 2008 and 2009, as well as her team's Most Valuable Player. Her team's captain her senior year, she was also named to the All-Mid Atlantic Region team with her save percentage of 0.93 for the year.

Ally Orrico, Cabrera's former coach, said, "Brooke has had an amazing high school career. Her athleticism and fiery spirit are rivaled by none. She is a tireless worker and a fierce competitor. Brooke will be sorely missed by her coaches and teammates, but her spirit and voice will echo throughout our field forever. Look out NCAA, there will be a Lion roaring and roaming the cage in Maryland's future!"

Why I chose Maryland: "I chose Maryland because of a number of reasons. The community is diverse, the people and teachers are friendly and approachable, it is the top field hockey school in the nation, and most importantly I have the resources to succeed at the tips of my fingers. Offering all of my academic and extracurricular interests, at Maryland I know I will get the most out of my education and field hockey career."

Freeman on Cabrera: "Brooke's fiery personality and eagerness to learn will make her very exciting to work with. She has an aggressive demeanor while defending the goal line, but it is balanced by her quality decision making skills. We're looking forward to taking her strong fundamental base and making her into a future impact player."

Shelby Sydnor, a forward, will provide speed to the Terrapin team. Named to the All-Central League team the past two years, she competed in the state of Pennsylvania's indoor league and state tournament. In addition to field hockey, she also competed in her school's track and field program. She owns school records in the 300m dash, 4x400m relay and 4x200m relay.

Why I chose Maryland: "I chose Maryland because it possessed the superior athletic program I was looking for, as well as a strong academic background."

Meharg on Sydnor: "Shelby is fast, dynamic, fearless and willing. These qualities are exciting and we look forward to continuing the solid training which she has received from her club play with West Chester Eagles in Philadelphia,"