COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The highly-successful Maryland field hockey program will welcome five top players this year as part of Maryland's 2020 recruiting class. Logan Anderson (Medford Lakes, N.J.), Anna Castaldo (Endicott, N.Y), Anoushka Chiswell (Christchurch, New Zealand), Maura Verleg (Geldrop, The Netherlands, Rayne Wright (Bethlehem, Pa.) signed on to enroll in the University of Maryland in the fall of 2020, head coach
Missy Meharg and her staff announced Wednesday.
"From New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to Holland and New Zealand, this group is together as one across the globe," Meharg said. "This class that is adjusting to our life right now is strong-minded, patient, resilient, compassionate and intellectually inclusive. They are extremely talented and passionate and we can't wait for when we can be together. We are thrilled to welcome their amazing families and parents. They are the best of the best...Go TERPS."
LOGAN ANDERSON
Defender
Medford Lakes, N.J. ● Shawnee High School
About Anderson: Played four years of varsity field hockey…helped high school team to 58 wins over four years... scored 9 goals with 6 assists and 15 defensive saves… earned First Team All-Conference, First Team All-County in sophomore, junior, senior years…earned Second Team All-Group 4 honors as a sophomore and First Team as a junior and senior…earned First Team All-Region honors as a junior and senior…also named Second Team All-State as a senior…earned an NFHCA bi-weekly award as a sophomore.
Meharg on Anderson: "A natural field general, Logan is an anchor for teammates. She possesses strong and simple fundamental skills in ball distribution and 1-v-1 defense."
Anderson on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because I immediately felt like I had a family there. The girls on the team and the coaching staff were so welcoming and the school itself had everything I was looking for whether it was academically or the environment itself."
ANNA CASTALDO
Forward/Midfield
Endicott, N.Y. ● Maine Endwell Senior High School
About Castaldo: Four-year letterwinner in field hockey… 155 goals, 62 assists in her career… team won the New York State Championship in 2018 and 2018, her junior and senior seasons…named one of Max Field Hockey's Top 10 players in the Class of 2020 and the New York Player of the Year… earned All-State honors all four years of her career… set a school-record for goals scored and was No. 5 in the state… named an All-American in 2018 and a First Team All-American in 2019…All-Region in 2017, 2018, 2019…member of U17 National Team in 2018 and 2018.
Meharg on Castaldo: "A crafty attacker mastering a world-class back hand shot. Anna's tight hands shred defenders and lend to quick passes. Earning penalty corners is her forte."
Castaldo on Maryland: "University of Maryland has the best coaching staff, historic program and academic excellence. No other college or field hockey program could compare to UMD."
ANOUSHKA CHISWELL
Forward
Christchurch, New Zealand ● St. Margaret's College
About Chiswell: Member of the New Zealand U18 squad in 2019, 2020…on her Canterbury U18 team in 2018 and 2019 and finished 3rd at national tournament in 2019 and 2017…team won 2018 and 2017 National Tournaments… named Team MVP…finished 2nd Canterbury Competition in 2019, 2017 and won in 2018…awarded School Honors… played on Carlton Redcliff's Premier Senior Women's Team and finished with an unbeaten season of 18 games and 3 trophies won in 2019…team won 2 trophies and was second overall in 2018… finished fourth in 2017… also ran track…finished third in the U20 100m, 100PB (12.74s), 200 (26.42s)…captain of track and field team and earned school honors.
Meharg on Chiswell: "A dynamic, free-flowing runner with skills to match her dangerous speed. Noush is a gritty teammate who thrives on off-ball work and counter-play determination."
Chiswell on Maryland: "It felt like a home away from home, especially coming from 18 hours away. Everyone was so friendly and I loved the campus. I was looking for a place where I could study and play hockey to the best and highest ability and UMD was the whole package for me."
MAURA VERLEG
Defender
Geldrop, The Netherlands • Lorentz Casimir Lyceum (New Hampshire)
About Verleg: Played freshman season at New Hampshire… named America East Rookie of the Year, to the America East East Division All-Conference First team, to the America East All-Rookie Team and earned NFHCA All-Region honors… led New Hampshire in minutes played and started in all 18 games … notched three assists… back home, played at HC Oranje-Rood, where she competed at the highest level of national junior field hockey in the Netherlands… played in the semifinals at the South Netherlands Indoor Championship four times… placed first at the Dutch Interregional Challenge Cup tournament in 2014… competed on selection team of the Southern Netherlands in 2012-13.
Meharg on Verleg: "A physically, tactically and exciting player who distributes the ball using such a variety of skills. Having a year of NCAA experience under her belt will make Maura's transition to Maryland seamless."
Verleg on Maryland: "I decided to come to Maryland because I wanted to be challenged academically and athletically, and the team is like a family."
RAYNE WRIGHT
Defender
Bethlehem, PA • Liberty High School
About Wright: Played four years at Liberty… scored 69 career goals with 50 assists… named a First Team All-Star for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference in all four years of her career… named EPC First Team MVP in 2018 and 2019 and Player of the Year in 2019… named First Team All-State, All-Region and a Third Team All-American in 2018… played for the WC Eagles Club… team won U19 National Club title and National Indoor Championship in 2018 and 2019… WC Eagles won U16 National Club Championship in 2017 and 2018, U14 in 2016…team won U14 Indoor National title in 2016 and 2017 and U12 in 2014.
Meharg on Wright: "One of the most powerful and fast-twitch players to compete in a Terps jersey. Rayne's ability to turn on a dime and explode in a low body position makes her a teammate's play maker and opposition's nightmare."
Wright on Maryland: "I decided to come to Maryland because it fulfilled all my wants and needs I had for my future home. As soon as I walked on the campus, I felt comfortable and ready for the next big steps in my life."
-Terps-
