The cancellation of the spring season has led to a new normal for the Maryland women's soccer team, as phrases like "zoom meeting" and "quarantine" become part of the everyday lexicon for the Terps and for people across the world.

While the squad would rather be in College Park training and enjoying warm spring days together, the isolation period has opened doors to different opportunities. Head coach Ray Leone and his staff have utilized this period of self-isolation to introduce guest speakers to the team's weekly routine, welcoming some of the leading voices in women's soccer in Christine Lilly and Kely Nascimento-Deluca to talk in team Zoom meetings.

The team had the opportunity to meet via Zoom with U.S. Soccer legend Christine Lilly, the most capped football player in the history of the sport with 354 career caps. She starred on the U.S. women's team for an incredible 24 years, winning two World Cup and two Olympic Golds.

"Kristine's message was so positive and uplifting for our team," said Leone. "She stressed that even in tough times, there's always a way. She made the point that everyone has a role on a team, some bigger or smaller than others, but each role is important. And coming from someone of her caliber that I think that message really resonated with our group."  

"Giving back to the game and inspiring young players is just a huge part of her," said new Terp Catherine DeRosa, "She talked a lot about how she never complained about the position her coaches asked her to play or what role they needed her to play because it was whatever benefitted the team the most. Everyone on the team plays a vital role and wanted us all to remember that. Hearing from the most capped USWNT player and arguably the greatest player, is something that most people usually don't forget. I'm grateful to have grown up with such an amazing role model like her. The countless lessons and stories she's told me has helped me grow as a player and person to this day. For my teammates to hear her humble message is something that's unforgettable. Not to mention she's now a Maryland soccer fan!"

In late April, the Terps were treated to an audience with Kely Nascimento-Deluca, a documentary producer, creative director/producer of multi-media projects, and most importantly – activist within the game of women's soccer. Born in Santos, Brazil, Nascimento-Deluca is the eldest daughter of the greatest player to ever live – Brazilian soccer legend Pelé.

After moving to Manhattan in 1975 when Pelé signed with the New York Cosmos, Nascimento-Deluca remained in New York and nurtured her love for storytelling, photography and the creative disciplines while studying at the Parsons School of Design.

Nascimento-Deluca's presentation to the Terps focused on her newest project – Warriors of a Beautiful Game. The documentary film aims to "submerge you in the passionate world of women's football (Soccer) and give you an unprecedented look at the evolution and current status of the fastest growing game in the world."

"We were so fortunate and honored to have Kely speak with our team," said Leone. "In this time of uncertainty we find ourselves in, our group has really looked forward to our weekly meetings, and having a guest as passionate and inspiring as Kely was such a wonderful experience for us. Her humanitarian efforts with the game of women's soccer are incredible, and I know I'm looking forward to watching her film."

Nascimento-Deluca chronicled the different stories she felt fortunate to have the opportunity to tell, like the struggles of Muslim women attempting to play the game they love on the island of Zanzibar and the inequality facing the women's team of legendary Brazilian men's club Santos FC. Nascimento-Deluca's goal is to share these stories and others with the world, using soccer as a conduit to influence greater change.