Terrapins Play at Junior High Performance
1/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Six members of the Maryland field hockey team recently competed in the Junior High Performance (JHP) training camp for USA Field Hockey at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex in Lancaster, Pa.
Anna Dessoye, Alyssa Parker, Delaney Leathers, Moira Putsch and incoming freshman Linnea Gonzalez participated in workouts for the U.S. Under-21 Team. Julie Duncan participated for the Under-19 Team.
Sophomore Carrie Hanks, a member of the Under-19 and Women's Senior Indoor Team, was in Germany with the National Indoor Team.
The camp was the first one in a series that will lead up to a tour in Belgium for the Under-19 team where it will play the junior teams of Belgium. The Under-21 team started its program as a preparation for a series against Canada in February and a tour in Holland in March.
“It was great to have all the U21 players training and playing together during this camp," said U.S. Women's JHP Head Coach and USWNT Assistant Coach Janneke Schopman. "By training together they push each other to a higher level and become more aware of what is needed in the next step of their hockey career. We did a lot of gameplay and despite the fact that the players got tired they managed to maintain the focus and intensity necessary to play an attacking game. All and all I thought it was a weekend well spent with lots of learning and also fun."
Read below what the Terrapins had to say about their time at JHP.
Anna Dessoye, Under-21, Midfield
“The Nook is an excellent training facility that is a valuable resource for the further development of our skills and game knowledge. The fact that it is so close to campus makes it easy for us to get to training during the week or on weekends. We are so lucky to be able to train with Janneke and the national team members every time we go there and further enhance our playing experience and understanding of the game.”
Julie Duncan, Under-19, Forward
“Although I didn't get to play at last training session, it was awesome to be exposed to such a high level of play and learn from the talented and amazing players around me. I am so excited to be a part of this experience and cannot wait to go back to The Nook in February.”
Carrie Hanks, Under-19, Women's National Indoor Team, Defender
On going to Germany with the U.S. Indoor Team:
“We left December 29 and came back January 6. All but two days we were there, we trained twice a day at various facilities in Hamburg (went to Bremen one day, which is about an hour away from where we were staying), then at night we played a number of club teams from the area. These included TG Heimfeld, Polo Hamburger Hockey Club, Bremen HC, and Grossflottbeker THGC.”
“It was really cool to see our team improve through the trainings and the matches. Our coach said that after playing TG Heimfeld then playing them again later in the week someone from their team remarked how noticeable the development was. The whole trip was an amazing experience- getting to visit and play at a number of very nice facilities (something that is normal to have there), play against teams that have been playing together for years, continue forming a bond and familiarity with my teammates, and experience it all while in another country- it all was unforgettable and great to take part in.”
Linnea Gonzalez, Under-21, Forward/Midfield
“We are grateful of being such a short distance from The Nook. With such short travel, we have more opportunities to watch and participate in higher level hockey such as watching the Women's National Team compete, as well as participating with the Junior National teams as well. With Janneke such a short distance away, it is a great way to get an international point of view of the game and also face new challenges, skills, and ideas that will enhance our gameplay. These training camps that we are involved in are challenging, but they definitely push and motivate you to achieve your full potential on and off the field.”
Delaney Leathers, Under-21, Midfield
“I think Janneke puts a new and refreshing perspective on the domestic play of field hockey. It is exciting to work with someone of her caliber and experience. Janneke's expectations are high for the U-21's; not just of us but also of herself. You see her investing so much of her time working with us.”
Alyssa Parker, Under-21, Forward
“Being part of the USAFH U-21 team under the experienced coaching of Janneke has been an awesome experience. Having a multi-purpose facility like The Nook only a short drive away makes getting together for trainings simple. After the completion of our first training camp of 2015, it's nice to see the team connecting really well together on and off the field.”
Moira Putsch, Under-21, Defender
“We all feel so fortunate that we are able to train with one of the most experienced and one of the very best international coaches out there. Being so close to The Nook gives us the opportunity to have some consistent training and to participate at high-level USA hockey events. This gives us the chance to step up to our game to the next level in order to play more competitively.”
-Terps-
