Throughout the season, UMTerps.com will introduce the Maryland community to each of its new players. The “Better Know a Terp” series continues with Niven Hegeman.

Season Report: Hegeman has entrenched herself as a member of Maryland's backline with five consecutive starts. She played all 90 minutes against George Mason and has played in seven total matches.

Before Maryland: Hegeman was a standout at Mountain Ridge, earning Cumberland Times Area Player of the Year on two occasions. A native of Frostburg, she was a Maryland All-State selection in 2015. She helped the Lady Miners go 17-1-0 in 2015 en route to a regional championship.

Quick Hits

UMTerps.com: When did you start playing soccer?
Niven Hegeman: When I was four.

UMTerps.com: How did you get into it?
Niven Hegeman: My dad is a huge soccer fanatic. He's played soccer his whole life so he got me and my older sisters into it.

UMTerps.com: Who is your favorite soccer player?
Niven Hegeman: Messi.

UMTerps.com: What other sports did you play as a kid besides soccer?
Niven Hegeman: I played basketball for a year and that was it. I played for a club team that was far away so I had to focus on that.

UMTerps.com: If you could play another sports at Maryland what would it be?
Niven Hegeman: Volleyball. We always played it in gym class and it was just so much fun.

UMTerps.com: What has been the highlight of your soccer career?
Niven Hegeman: Probably in my senior year of high school we went to the semifinals and it was the furthest our school has ever gone. It was really exciting and good to be a part of.

UMTerps.com: You come from a small town in Maryland, what is it like to have the support of all those people?
Niven Hegeman: The whole community is super proud of me and they are always congratulating me. It's awesome. It's really nice having a tight knit community like that.

UMTerps.com: Your sister (Annabelle) plays at Akron, what is it like to have her as a role model?
Niven Hegeman: It's nice because I always have her to talk about everything from soccer to school.

UMTerps.com: What do you miss most from home?
Niven Hegeman: Probably my family and friends.

UMTerps.com: Favorite pregame meal?
Niven Hegeman: Spaghetti.

UMTerps.com: Favorite pump up song?
Niven Hegeman: Lose Yourself by Eminem.

UMTerps.com: TV show you are watching right now?
Niven Hegeman: Friday Night Lights.

UMTerps.com: Last movie you say?
Niven Hegeman: Stomp the Yard.

UMTerps.com: Favorite place to eat in College Park?
Niven Hegeman: Bagel Place.

UMTerps.com: Favorite thing to do on a soccer field?
Niven Hegeman: Schooling someone [laughs].