Aug. 22, 2012

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - John Stertzer was fantastic last season and will see his role increased in 2012 as he becomes a key leadership factor for Maryland on and off the field.

A talented striking midfielder from Oakton, Va., who boasted a career-high 14 goals in 2011, Stertzer was an NSCAA Third Team All-America selection and a first team All-ACC pick in 2011.

"He's been probably one of the hardest workers during the spring and summer and has been a very inspirational player for the rest of the team. He leads by example," head coach Sasho Cirovski said. "John not only has the soccer ability but also the inspirational drive that can influence this team in a very positive way. He scores big goals in big games."

The Terps are incredibly deep in the midfield and Cirovski and his coaching staff may have difficulty pinpointing the best combination before the Terps have played in a few matches.

Returning midfielders Helge Leikvang, Jereme Raley, Dan Metzger, Mikias Eticha and Alex Shinsky all saw significant playing time in 2011, with Leikvang and Raley starting in a combined 35 matches.

"It's a very open book with our team going into preseason," Cirovski said. "Danny (Metzger) had a great spring for us and we know Jereme and Helge have been great players for us there, but we also have a lot of other players who will be competing in the midfield."

Raley blossomed into a tenacious midfielder in his first season of competition. A redshirt sophomore with knack for both scoring and distributing, he notched four assists and a pair of goals in 2011. Leikvang is a sturdy presence in the midfield with a powerful leg and is also a skillful defender.

Metzger, Eticha and Shinsky are also extremely talented and will look to make a big impact in their second year in College Park. Metzger saw the most action of any freshman last season, playing in 18 games and earning a pair of starts. Eticha is a raw talent who was a late arrival for the Terps in 2011 and Shinsky is prepped for his first season at full strength after a nagging injury curtailed his performance as a freshman.

Widner Saint Cyr, who has seen time in the midfield and at defender during his career at Maryland, will also compete for action in the midfield this season.

Impressive rookie Tsubasa Endoh will also factor heavily into the mix. The Tokyo, Japan, product was a prominent fixture in the Japanese national team system and enrolled at Maryland last spring.