Throughout the season, umterps.com will introduce the Maryland community to each of its new players. The series starts with freshman Jlon Flippens.

Season Report: The Philadelphia native has been a key cog for the Terps so far this season, starting all nine games and playing all 850 minutes of the season. She leads Maryland in assists with three, all coming off free kicks.

Before Maryland: Flippens starred at William-Penn Charter School, scoring a school record 92 goals, even after missing her senior season. She scored an incredible 52 goals in 2014. Equally adept as a holding midfielder at youth level, Flippens earned a call-up to the USA U-18 National Team.

Video Highlight: Watch Jlon talk her high school career.

Quick Hits

UMTerps.com: When did you start playing soccer?
Jlon Flippens: When I was seven years old.

UMTerps.com: How did you get into it?
Jlon Flippens: Before I started playing sports I was a bad kid because I had so much energy! My stepdad took me over to this field nearby my house in my Allen Iverson jersey and made me play. It just clicked from there. AI was my favorite athlete growing up.

UMTerps.com: Who is your favorite soccer player?
Jlon Flippens: Messi for sure. Despite his size he's very intimidating with the ball.

UMTerps.com: What other sports did you play as a kid besides soccer?
Jlon Flippens: I played basketball and ran track.

UMTerps.com: If you could play another sports at Maryland what would it be?
Jlon Flippens: Volleyball. I'm not the ideal height, but I like it cause it's fast paced.

UMTerps.com: What has been the highlight of your soccer career?
Jlon Flippens: Definitely winning our state semifinal in high school. We had 15 seconds left and I scored off a ball over the top. That took us into PKs and we won the game.

UMTerps.com: What's been your favorite part about Maryland so far non-sports related?
Jlon Flippens: Meeting new people!

UMTerps.com: What is your favorite place to eat in College Park?
Jlon Flippens: Bagel Place.

UMTerps.com: What do you miss most from home?
Jlon Flippens: Probably my mom. She's my constant support system and she gets me the most.

UMTerps.com: Favorite pregame meal?
Jlon Flippens: Chicken nuggets!

UMTerps.com: Favorite pump up song?
Jlon Flippens: Work remix by ASAP Ferg

UMTerps.com: TV show you are watching right now?
Jlon Flippens: Shameless

UMTerps.com: Favorite TV show of all time?
Jlon Flippens: We Bare Bears on Cartoon Network [laughs]

UMTerps.com: Favorite thing to do on a soccer field?
Jlon Flippens: Score.