Aug. 15, 2012

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The 2011 national champion Maryland field hockey squad will look to begin its 2012 journey over the next week with a home exhibition Saturday and the season opener next Friday.

The Terps will take on the U.S.Under-21 national team Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. Admission is free and all fans are encouraged to attend.

Current Terrapins Maxine Fluharty, Katie Gerzabek, Ali McEvoy and Jill Witmer are all on the U.S. Under-21 team. Fluharty and Gerzabek will be playing with Team USA.

As the Terps began their preseason training regimen this month, seniors Megan Frazer and Janessa Pope were elected to serve as team captains.

Frazer, a midfielder from Derry, Northern Ireland, is the 2011 Honda Sports Award winner, an All-American and was one of two team captains last season. Pope, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., was a key member of the Terps' championship run last season and has been an active team leader for years.

"Together, Megan and Janessa represent a firm and caring leadership team," head coach Missy Meharg said. "Selected by their teammates this week during training camp, Megan returns as a captain with high level competitive experience, coupled with Janessa's intellectually demanding talents. They are a powerful unit and are well-respected by all."

After Saturday's matchup, the Terps will head west to open the season at California on Friday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. ET. The Golden Bears won the NorPac title and fell in an NCAA play-in game last November.

On Sunday, Aug. 26, the Terrapins will take on Stanford at 4 p.m. ET in Stanford, Calif. The Cardinal fell to Duke in its NCAA Tournament opener in 2011.

Both of the Terrapins' west coast games will be shown live on the Pac 12 Network. More information on where to watch will be available closer to the games.

In its home opener, Maryland will take on Old Dominion at 7 p.m. on Aug. 31 in a rematch of 2011 Final Four matchup. The Terrapins blanked the Monarchs 4-0 en route to their fifth national title in seven years.