Feb. 7, 2012
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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 2016 will assist the Terps in carrying on their tradition of success.
Head coach Missy Meharg and the Terrapins welcome Anna Dessoye (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood), Jill Genovese (Rockville, Md., Academy of the Holy Cross), Shari Jones (Princeton, N.J./Montgomery High School), Alyssa Parker (Woodbine, Md./Glenelg) and Emma Rissinger (Lititz, Pa./Warwich High School) as Maryland field hockey student-athletes.
Three of the five, Dessoye, Genovese and Parker, are members of the U.S. Under-19 National squad. They will all travel to Canada this spring to play in a test series against the Canadian Under-19 team.
Two of the incoming student-athletes are already enrolled on campus as grey shirt athletes. Jill Genovese and Shari Jones arrived in College Park earlier this semester to begin preparing for next season. The other three signees will join the Terps in August.
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Alyssa Parker
Midfield
Woodbine, Md. • Glenelg HS
About Parker: Alyssa Parker was named to the U.S. Under-19 team last summer and comes to College Park as one of the most decorated high school players ever to hail from the state of Maryland. Parker is believed to be the first player in Maryland history to break the 100-goal mark. She also played in the 2011 Junior National Championships and won gold in the 2010 Junior Olympics with her U.S. team.
She started in Glenelg's midfield for all four years of her career and served as captain for three years. She led them to four straight regional titles and back-to-back state titles in 2010 and 2011 for the first time in school history. She was named a 2011 NFHCA High School All-American and was twice named the Washington Post's All-Met Player of the Year. She was also named All-Howard County in each of her four years and Howard County Player of the Year in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. She was twice named to the All-State team. She also played lacrosse and basketball at Glenelg.
Meharg on Parker: "Alyssa is one of the most athletic hockey players to ever enter our program. She has unmatched speed, contagious desire to learn the game and a pure team mindset despite her acheivements. As a three sport graduate form Glenelg High School, this daughter of two Terrapins, referred to as `Parker' by her local young fans, brings talent and flair to Maryland hockey."
Parker on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because of its field hockey program, teammates, coaches, the fun atmosphere/campus, the different majors and its closeness to home." |
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Anna Dessoye
Midfield/Forward/Defense
Mountain Top, Pa. • Crestwood HS
About Dessoye: A seasoned player with years of high performance exposure, Anna Dessoye brings with her versatility and experience. She is currently a member of the Under-19 National Team training squad, the U.S. Senior and Junior National Indoor squads and last year, served as captain through the U.S. Junior National Team's tour through Holland.
She played four years of varsity hockey at Crestwood High School and was team captain in her senior year. She led them to District II championships in 2009 and 2010 and the state semifinals as a junior. As a sophomore and as a senior, Dessoye and Crestwood went to the state quarterfinals.
Meharg on Dessoye:"Anna is the real deal, developed hockey player and hails from Crestwood High School where Terp hockey alums Sara Silvetti and Carrissa Messimer played. We are excited to have her versatility. Anna can play anywhere on the field. She has the skills to score goals under pressure, skills to defend the opponent's toughest player and vision to play in the midfield. Anna has the attitude, heart and conviction to impact our program athletically and emotionally."
Dessoye on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because during my visit I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the coaching staff, and their competitive hockey program. I also look forward to the opportunity to learn both on and off the field." |
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Jill Genovese
Goalkeeper
Rockville, Md. • Academy of the Holy Cross
About Genovese: Jill Genovese is one of two incoming freshmen that has already come to campus to begin training for the 2012 season. She is a current member of the U.S. Under-19 National team and has spent time at the Olympic Training Center in California.
The four-year varsity starter from the Academy of the Holy Cross was named to the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference First Team in each of her four years and was the 2011 WCAC Player of the Year. She led Holy Cross to four straight WCAC titles and has been named All-Met by the Washington Post in each of the last three years.
Meharg on Genovese: "Jill adores Maryland and is one of the quickest goaltenders we have ever seen. With her instinctual reaction time and love for College Park it is a perfect fit. We look forward to developing her early as a January enrollment. Barb Weinberg , our goalkeeper coach, and Jill will soar together as we head in to our indoor season. As a member of the USA Under 19 National squad. Jill will have an impact with our goalkeeping unit of Natalie Hunter and Brooke Cabrera immediately."
Genovese on Maryland: "I chose UMD because of the great education, the diverse environment, and the excellent field hockey program." |
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Shari Jones
Forward
Princeton, N.J. • Montgomery HS
About Jones: Shari Jones comes to Maryland this spring as one of the most skilled and decorated players in the state of New Jersey. She was named the Princeton Packet's Player of the Year in 2011, as well as named to the Trenton Times' All-Area Team in her senior year as well.
She earned All-Suburban Team honors from the Times in 2010 and was named to the NJFHCA North All Group IV Team, the All-Somerset County Team, and the Skyland Conference Raritan Team in both her junior and senior seasons. She intends to study communications.
Meharg on Jones: "Shari is all Maryland. Her passion and desire to compete as a Terp secured her place as a member of our team. She is so athletic, so fast, so fiery and most importantly so emotionally invested in being a Terp. She is selfless and ready to learn the game at a new level We cannot wait to begin coaching her this spring. "
Jones on Maryland: "I wanted to come to Maryland because it has an excellent academic reputation. I love the setting and the diversity. The hockey program is the best and I love the players and coaches." |
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Emma Rissinger
Forward
Lititz, Pa. • Warwick HS
About Rissinger: Emma Rissinger will begin her career at Maryland in the fall after four years as a letterwinner and three as a varsity starter for Warwick High School. She led Warwick to state runner-up in her senior season and an L-L League title. She was named to the NFHCA's All-Region First Team, the All-State First Team and the L-L All-League First Team as a senior.
She has been a member of the U.S. Futures program since 2008 and in 2011, competed in the Nationals Futures Championships. Since 2009, she has been selected into Futures Elite.
Meharg on Rissinger: "Emma is feisty, tenacious, fast and has risky character. She is a serious goal scorer and has the speed, athleticism and willingness to bring her emotionality to our team."
Rissinger on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because it is a great opportunity to be part of such a high level team and it felt like home since the first time I visited the campus. The coaches and players were very welcoming and friendly. The academics and atmosphere the school offers in combination with the field hockey program makes Maryland the perfect fit for me." |
