Sept. 4, 2012

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland field hockey sophomores Maxine Fluharty and Katie Gerzabek were selected to compete with USA Field Hockey's Under-21 National Squad in the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico Sept. 10-23.

The duo will miss the Terps' games vs. Dartmouth (Sept. 9), vs. Boston College (Sept. 14) and at Wake Forest (Sept. 22).

The U.S. will open the tournament against Venezuela on September 10. Up next will be Paraguay, followed by Trinidad and Tobago and Chile, before closing out pool play against Jamaica on September 17. With a successful bout in the preliminary pool rounds, the U.S. could face their biggest rival, Argentina or Canada, before reaching the podium.

The top two countries to podium finish will automatically qualify for the International Hockey Federation's 7th Women's Junior World Cup.

"We need to finish ahead of nine other teams in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup," said Nick Conway, U.S. Junior Women's Head Coach. "For our team this is our sole objective. We know that there will be challenges along the way, but as with all tournaments we will strive to adapt and overcome them."

Both Fluharty and Gerzabek have had extensive junior careers with USA Field Hockey. Most recently, they both competed in London, along with fellow Terps Ali McEvoy and Jill Witmer, for a test series with Great Britain back in April. Fluharty, Gerzabek, McEvoy and Witmer have all competed in numerous world tournaments, including Junior World Cups.

Next, Maryland (3-1) will welcome No. 19 Massachusetts, Dartmouth and American to College Park for the Terrapin Invitational Saturday and Sunday. The Terrapins will play Massachusetts Saturday at 11 a.m., with American and Dartmouth playing at 1 p.m. On Sunday, the Eagles and the Minutewomen will take the field at noon, with the Terps taking on Dartmouth at 1 p.m.

Admission and parking are free for all four games. Both of the Terps' games will be broadcast live on TerpsTV Premium, a subscription-based viewing service. Both Maryland games can also be heard live on the campus radio station, WMUCSports.com.