March 23, 2012

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Sarah Sprink, a world-class defender from Germany, signed on to play for the Maryland field hockey team head coach Missy Meharg announced this week.

Sprink, who hails from Neuss, Germany, is a member of the German Under-21 team and has long been playing in the German national team system with the Under-16 and Under-18 teams. She won silver with the German Under-18 team at the European Championships.

Her mother, Elke Sprink, played field hockey for the German national team and won a world championship in 1981 and silver in the Olympics in 1982.

"Sarah physically and socially fits in so well at Maryland," Meharg said. "From hockey and International Business, to our global culture in the Baltimore-D.C. region, she will soar. With nine seniors on our 2012 squad, having a young German Junior National Team player sets up our defensive structure for years out. Sarah has a variety of powerful and deceptive distribution skills and is a strong 1-on-1 defender that will compete for a spot in our backfield as a freshman. We are honored that Sarah Sprink will play here at Maryland."

"Maryland was the first stop on my official visit in February. I didn't know what to expect and was nervous what the staff and team would be like," Sprink said. "When I met Coach Meharg and Dina Rizzo I immediately felt welcome and comfortable. I could be myself from the first minute and had a lot of fun with the girls and staff during my stay."

"The culture at Maryland is great and that is one of the main reasons why I will come to Maryland. Furthermore, the program is a perfect fit, because I want to develop my game, so I can still play for my country, even when I am in the United States. I will be so far away from home, but I am sure that I will have a Terp family which will always be there for me and that's what makes Maryland so special."

Drexel, American and Syracuse will come to College Park for an all-day play day on April 7. All fans are welcome to attend.