Maryland Opens Season This Weekend
2/7/2011 7:00:00 AM | Water Polo
Feb. 7, 2011
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - It is shaping up to be a year to remember for the Maryland Terrapins women's water polo team which opens 2011 this weekend at the Triton Invitational in San Diego.
"I am looking forward to the season because we have the ability to have a great one," said Maryland head coach Carl Salyer, who is entering his seventh year. "We are headed in the right direction."
The Terps lost just one senior, Shannon Simerly, to graduation, but have added nine freshmen who are expected to have an immediate impact. The staff anticipates that new class will play significant minutes throughout the season.
Senior captain Meghan Powers has shown her leadership skill, both in and out of the pool, in the preseason.
"We are asking more and more from her everyday and she has stepped up to the challenge," said Sayler. "She is going to have a major impact on the success of our program this year both playing wise, as well as leadership wise."
Powers netted 37 goals last season, finishing third on the team.
Much will be expected of Maryland's 2010 Freshman of the Year and team MVP, Allison Campbell, as she is expected to lead the counterattack.
"We expect her to come out and be the sophomore of the year, if there was such an award," said assistant coach Serela Kay, who is in her first season.
Last season, Campbell was had a team-high 73 points.
Seniors Ally Beck and Jessica Ernst are expected to add to the leadership by contributing breakout performances.
"Beck is one of those girls who love being a Terp and is a big part of what we do to prepare ourselves," said Sayler. "Ernst is so strong and big that she can take over situations in the pool."
The Terps add a third goalie, Taylor Reeves, to the existing duo of Shelby Reyes and Rachel Stein. Last season Reyes and Stein combined to start 32 of the 34 games.
"They all know that on any given day it is anyone's position," said Kay of the possible rotation in net. "This only raises their level of competition."
Other likely contributors in 2011 include junior defender Christine Goetsch, junior attacker Elina Goldenberg, junior utility Carly Hoshko and sophomore utility Simone Lewis.
Goetsch had 21 goals and 42 steals (second on the team), while Goldenberg had 20 in 20 games. Goldenberg had a team-high 55 goals in 2009.
Hoshko and Lewis were of eight players to see action in all 34 games last season.
Although Sayler expects this season to be tough and competitive, he believes the Terps are capable of competing for a CWPA title.
"We are definitely the underdog and I relish that role," said Sayler. "I like to be the kid that is not expected to do it and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to deliver."
Maryland is scheduled to face 11th-ranked Cal-Irvine at 12:30 p.m. PST Saturday in the opening game of the Triton Invitational. The Terps will play an additional game Saturday evening, as well as two on Sunday. Click here for the Triton Invitational tournament page.
