COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Six members of the University of Maryland field hockey team just wrapped up play in the 2024 Senior Nexus Championship (NXC), presented by Osaka Hockey, which was held at the Virginia Beach Regional Training Center in Virginia Beach this week from July 14-16.  Maryland was led by seniors Rayne Wright, Kylee Niswonger, Carly Hynd and junior Lillian Buckwalter.  Underclassman Maya Everett and AJ Eyre also earned roster spots.

The Senior NXC is held annually and features 144 elite collegiate and post-collegiate athletes.  During the spring and early summer, athletes trialed and trained at one of the seven USA Field Hockey High Performance Centers throughout the country for an opportunity to be selected to the Senior NXC. All athletes that were previously named to the U.S. U-18, U-21, and Development Women's National Teams were also included in the selection.
 
Wright competed for Team Rome, and they finished the tournament with three wins, and one loss. Wright would earn a gold medal for helping Team Rome defeat Team Barcelona in the gold medal game. 

Carly Hynd competed for Team Barcelona and helped the team reach the gold medal game. Niswonger and Eyre competed for Team Montreal.  Lilly Buckwalter and Maya Everett competed for Team Milan and helped the team earn one win in three games.
 
Wright was a team captain for the 2023 season and started in all 23 games.  Wright helped shutdown some of the nation's best offensive players and was named to the 2023 All-Big Ten First Team. Starting in every game this past season Wright recorded nearly 1,300 minutes of action on the back line.  
 
Niswonger appeared in 22 games last season including making two starts.  The senior tallied an assist against Michigan State. Niswonger has played in 63 games over the past three years at Maryland.  The Michigan native was a three-sport athlete in high school playing field hockey, basketball, and softball.  
 
Hynd appeared in five games as a Terp last season and was named to the 2023 Academic All-Big Ten Team. As a freshman, Hynd made her first career appearance in a win at #12 Duke.  

Buckwalter appeared in two games as a sophomore and earned 2023 Academic All-Big Ten and 2023 NFHCA Academic Squad honors. 
 
Everett appeared in 21 games as a freshman for Maryland. Everett was named the Max Field Hockey State Player of the Year during her senior season. 
 
Eyre has committed to Maryland and was a three-sport athlete in high school playing field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse.  Eyre was named the 2023 Howard County Times Player of the Year and led the state of Maryland in total points during her senior season.