Terrapins Welcome Four Signees
11/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The highly-successful Maryland field hockey program welcomed four of the nation's best high school players this week as part of National Signing Day. Julie Duncan, Linnea Gonzalez, Sarah Holliday and Olivia Reiter all signed on to play for the Terrapins in the fall of 2015, head coach Missy Meharg and her staff announced Thursday.
"We are thrilled to sign the top three field hockey players in the great state of Maryland and the fastest player in the state of New Jersey.” Meharg said. “We are beyond proud to have these four young women study and compete as Terps.”
JULIE DUNCAN
Forward
Medford, N.J. • Shawnee High School
About Duncan: Started playing field hockey her freshman year of high school and played soccer before that…named to the All-South Jersey First Team as a junior and senior…named to the All-Conference Team as a senior…named to the US Under-19 Team in 2014…also part of Futures Elite…played for Spirit of USA…team won Disney tournament and Festival in 2014…also ran track in sophomore and junior years…broke team record in 4X100 and 4X400…personal record for 100 was 11.9 and 400 was 60.00.
Meharg on Duncan: "Julie is seriously one of the fastest players I have ever seen with or without the ball. Over the past year she has learned how to get the ball in free space and use her speed to eliminate defensive units while setting up goal shots. She is eager and willing to serve everyone around her before herself. Julie hails from the same high school as our own Marissa Cutry - Shawnee High School.”
Renee Toliver, coach of Shawnee High School, on Duncan: “Julie Duncan is by far one of the best athletes I have ever coached. She's extremely fast, dynamic and a hard worker. She's loves the game and is constantly looking for ways to improve and become the best player she can be. I have no doubt that she has great things in store for her at the University of Maryland and I look forward to watching her grow and take her game to the next level.”
LINNEA GONZALEZ
Forward/Midfield
Bel Air, Md. • Patterson Mill High School
About Gonzalez: Played four years of varsity field hockey at Patterson Mill High School…team went to the state finals in her junior year (2013)…named the 2013 Baltimore Sun All-Metro Player of the Year…named to the Baltimore Sun All-Metro Team, the All-State Team and the All-Country team in 2013…named a First Team All-American in 2013 and Second Team in 2012…on U.S. Under-21 Team in 2014 and Under-17 team from 2012-13…played for H2O Field Hockey…team won three National Indoor Championships.
Meharg on Gonzalez: "Linnea is an extremely innovative and dynamic hockey player. She has the skills to eliminate an opponent at will, coupled with the ability to play on any line in the field. She has been in and around the Maryland hockey turf since her days as a competitive young ball runner. Linnea works diligently at her game and her development ceiling is huge.”
Shannon Swinscoe, coach at Patterson Mill, on Gonzalez: “It has been a pleasure coaching Linnea throughout her high school career. Linnea is such a talent in the sport of field hockey. She has a true passion for the game, and always strives to learn more and be the best. As talented as she is, what is most impressive about Linnea is how humble she has always been about her abilities. She is a true team player.”
SARAH HOLLIDAY
Goalkeeper
Clarksville, Md. • Bullis School
About Holliday: Played four years of varsity field hockey at the Bullis School…team finished third in the Independent Schools League in 2011 and 2013 and won the league in 2012…had nine shutouts with a 91% save percentage as a sophomore in 2012…had a 94% save percentage as a junior in 2013…named team MVP in 2013…didn't allow more than one goal in a game in 2012…named All-League in 2012 and 2013…named All-Met in 2013…played for the Washington Wolves club team…team was named the No. 1 Maryland indoor team in 2011, No. 8 in the nation in 2013….team won their pool at Festival in 2013…named to the Junior Olympic team in 2013…Futures Elite selection in 2014…on the first place Futures Elite championship team in 2014.
Meharg on Holliday: "Sarah is an outstanding goalkeeper. She is quick as a cat, is courageous and commands from her defense what she need to limit shots and make saves. Sarah can also play in the field. Her running style, natural athleticism and stick skills are complete, giving her a full perspective of the game over 100 yards. Sarah has been trained by former Terp All-American goalkeeper Ali Grater Beach.”
Danielle Martyn, coach at the Bullis School, on Holliday: “Sarah is one of the most active and dynamic high school goalkeepers I have ever seen. Her command of the circle and aggressiveness has made her such an asset for the past four seasons at Bullis. While many high school goalies can make the first stop, Sarah's ability to make the initial save, and then the second and the third save in an row gives our team an amazing advantage every time she steps on the field.”
OLIVIA REITER
Midfield
Severna Park, Md. • Severna Park High School
About Reiter: Played four years of varsity field hockey at Severna Park High School…team finished first in its league in 2011 and 2013 and third in 2012…named All-County…played for the Spark club team.
Meharg on Reiter: “Olivia is an all-around perfect NCAA Division I female student-athlete. She is fit physically and mentally for all brands of college hockey. Olivia is powerful in every sense of the word and is a tremendous hockey player. Being able to graduate early from Severna Park High School and enroll at Maryland this January will give Olivia the opportunity to grow with the 2015 team. Olivia's enthusiasm towards hard work and life itself is contagious.”
Ann Andrews, coach of Severna Park High School, on Reiter: “Olivia is a natural athlete and a natural hockey player. Her creativity with ball movement combined with her natural strength, speed combined with her calm disposition has resulted in a player who continually stands out among the best and is a force on the field. She raises the bar for her teammates and sets an example for the younger players coming behind her.”
- Terps -
