Coming A Long Way From A Short Distance
9/5/2014 1:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Bethesda is just 19 short miles from College Park, but for University of Maryland women's soccer midfielder Maisie McCune, her journey has taken her a lot farther than that.
When many high school students look around for the right fit for them for where they will spend their college experience many drift toward wanting to get away and see someplace new. McCune was no different, but in the end her heart led her where she knows she was meant to be.
“I had a totally open mind. I originally wanted to go to a place that was a bit warmer, but when I visited here I knew I had to go here,” said McCune. “I loved the team. I loved the atmosphere. The coaches were awesome.”
Another factor for wanting to stay so close to home for McCune was the opportunity to stay connected with her family.
“I'm really close with my family, and it's awesome to have them be able to come to my games” said McCune. “My little brother, as he was growing up, he looked up to me. And then as he grew up we slowly competed at the same levels. We were going at it all the time, playing against and with each other. He is so good now and he's been working so hard that, honestly, I look up to him now even though he's my little brother. So, I think it's awesome and exciting that he gets to come to my games and see me, but we really feed off of each other."
It's more than just the soccer-side of things for McCune and her family that make the choice to stay local a good one.
“I do like being able to see my family regularly outside of soccer, as well. It's a lot easier being close to home and I really like it. I'm able to call my mom and we go out to dinner and my grandma lives down the street from me and we get to go out. It's just really nice. And now that my sister is home from college and works in Bethesda I get to hang out with her more too. All around it's just a win-win situation.”
But, while the distance traveled in terms of miles has not been so great for McCune, the journey on the pitch has been challenging. And she wouldn't have it any other way.
“I knew coming in here I wasn't going to be a starter right away and that's something that I wanted. Every team I've played on I've been the underdog and have had to work my way up for playing time. So, I knew coming in here that was something I could do and it's something that has motivated me since getting on campus.”
McCune's first two seasons at Maryland saw her play in just 12 of 43 games. After a good spring season, a heart-to-heart talk with the Maryland coaches provided the motivation she needed to make her move for 2014.
“The coaches were great and were honest about what I needed to do and what they were looking for from me. And I really took that to heart.”
As a group, the 2014 Terps decided to come back to campus early to being training in July even before the mandatory report time in early August for summer training. McCune knew if she wanted to earn her way on to the field she had to dedicate herself to training during the summer.
“Knowing we were coming back early, there really wasn't time for me to look for a job this summer, so it really allowed me to concentrate on my fitness and my soccer. I religiously followed our off-season workout manual and kind of put myself through two-a-days early in the summer. I would run and lift in the mornings and then train with my summer team in the evenings. I did that for about a month or so, but then I ended up with a slight tear in my oblique.”
That could have been a setback to McCune's plan, but in the end it was a blessing in disguise.
“I was a little worried, but it actually came at a good time. Having it happen when it did gave my body the time it needed to recover and be healthy for training back here. And when I did come back I was ready to go and I'm not sure what really happened, but when I started to play again I just had a lot more confidence.”
That was something the Maryland coaches could see as well and as McCune's confidence continued to grow throughout the preseason and into the early-season matches, so did her playing time.
After coming in as a reserve in Maryland's two west coast matches at No. 1 UCLA and at No. 17 Pepperdine, McCune earned her first-ever collegiate start in the home opener vs. William & Mary. Walking out as a starter with Maryland on the front of her uniform is something McCune took great pride in.
“I love that they say that I'm from Maryland. There's so much pride. I love it here and I'm proud to be from here.”
