ROSEMONT, Ill. – Three Terrapins were named to the Big Ten's Preseason Honors list in an announcement made by the conference offices Monday afternoon. Juniors Malikae Dayes and Mikayla Dayes, along with redshirt sophomore Alyssa Poarch, were named Big Ten Players to Watch for the 2019 season.

Malikae Dayes returns as one of Maryland's most steady contributors on the roster as the lone player to start in every game in 2018. Malikae will a mainstay in the Maryland back line this season, likely seeing a starting role at the center back position alondside sophomore Adalee Broadbent.       

Mikayla Dayes will be a key piece for head coach Ray Leone in 2019 after appearing in all 19 games a season ago. Mikayla tallied an assist while starting nine games for the Terps, playing primarily as a midfielder. Mikayla was on pace for a breakout freshman season in 2017, leading the team in points (8) in just five games played before suffering a season-ending injury.  

Poarch returns as Maryland's leading scorer from its 2018 campaign after totaling two goals and two assists a season ago. The Middletown, Del., native will be primed for an increased scoring output this season, now two years removed from a knee injury that sidelined her for the entire 2017 season. Poarch had a standout summer in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL), leading the league with 37 points on 16 goals and five assists for the CAFC Ospreys.

In the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll, Maryland was picked to finish 13th in the conference. Penn State was picked to win the conference, followed by Rutgers and Wisconsin.

The Terrapins will kick off their 2019 season on Thursday, August 22 when the team hosts Georgia South at 7 p.m. at Ludwig Field in College Park.

-Terps-