Keeping It Simple: 2025 Field Hockey Preview

The dawn of a new field hockey season arrives. With it are new excitements, expectations and opportunities. A core of returning production and a flurry of new faces — both on the pitch and behind the bench — has head coach Missy Meharg’s squad ready to dominate in 2025. 

“I’m excited for the group to play a very fast brand of hockey in every way,” Meharg said. “When I say that, I’m talking physically fast, but also mentally fast decision making. Making decisions under time. And, of course, hand speed.”

The Maryland Terrapins have a gauntlet to run through in 2025, but starting the season as the No. 4 team in the country, they’re ready for it. The key will be staying rooted and not thinking about more than necessary, something that’s become a theme for Missy Meharg’s 2025 squad.

“Keep it simple, Turtle,” Meharg said. “We have something called K.I.S.T., Keep it simple, Turtle. A lot of the philosophy of the program is built on the idea that less is more, but you have to be willing to understand the gameplan.”

That gameplan started in camp by combining 11 new faces to a program that made a 27th NCAA Tournament a season ago. The team is grounded and connected by a sense of purpose and the quest to add another chapter of history to Terp field hockey. 

“I think we’re super connected, super aggressive and super excited to work together this season,” junior captain Josie Hollamon said. “We’re a crazy little fun group that people are going to underestimate and ask questions about and I think it’s super fun and exciting to be on this side of it.”

“There's a strong sense of purpose in this group and it’s inspiring to be surrounded by teammates and coaches who are so committed,” freshman Feliz Kuhne said.

The Squad

The 2025 rendition of the Maryland Terrapins features 11 new faces — 10 freshmen and a transfer. Meharg’s staff put in efforts both local and abroad to bring new talent to College Park. Five of the freshmen hail from the state of Maryland, while three international freshmen — two from the Netherlands and one from Australia — are ready to compete away from home. 

“I definitely think there are a few names you can watch out for,” Hollamon said. “Feliz Kuhne, Jordyn Hollamon, Maia Adamson. We’re pretty stacked.”

Hollamon, like her sister, comes to College Park from Delaware while both Kuhne (Netherlands) and Adamson (Australia) are bringing their talents to the Terps from overseas. 

“They fit in right away,” Hollamon said. “The chemistry is amazing. I’m super excited for people to see that as we play. On and off the pitch, we’re super connected and fun to be around.”

Despite the new faces, Maryland is retaining a significant amount of its offensive production from its 2024 campaign that saw the Terps go 13-7. Players that combined for 29 of last season’s 46 total goals (63%) are back for another season at Maryland, including sophomore forward Ella Gaitan, who netted nine in her All-Big Ten Freshman Team and All-Big Ten Second Team freshman season.

“I think it builds a lot of confidence,” Hollamon said about the returning production. “It’s still something we want to work on. We want to score more goals this season and execute. There’s some threats out there that people don’t know about yet that I’m excited about.”

Junior goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko is also back for another season after an impressive 2024 season that saw her make 54 saves in 19 games. She’s being mentored by new assistant coach and goalkeeper coordinator Maddy Sposito, who was brought in by Meharg prior to the 2025 season.

“I expect great play,” Meharg said. “I think we all know that championships are 90% defense. All you have to do is win a game by one goal. We have to keep that in mind and stay patient and just play good, solid defense.”

The Schedule

Maryland starts its season with a trio of invitational tournaments. The Terps will host both Stanford (Aug. 29) and Villanova (Aug. 31) as a part of The Conference Cup to open their 2025 season. Maryland will then take to the road for two matches in Durham, NC, against No. 8 Boston College (Sept. 5) and No. 5 Duke (Sept. 7) in the B1G/ACC Challenge. Both Pennsylvania (Sept. 12) and No. 9 Saint Joseph’s (Sept. 14) will then come to College Park for the Terrapin Classic. 

Maryland is 12-4 in invitational play since 2021 and 20-2 in the Terrapin Invitational since 2013. 

“That’s all by plan,” Meharg said of the early invitationals. “I want to win something every weekend and that’s why those invitationals are there on the schedule.”

Once the standard season starts, College Park will host six of Maryland’s 11 remaining matches, including key matches against No. 7 Michigan (Sept. 26) and No. 1 Northwestern (Oct. 19), two Big Ten teams that are expected to be at the top of the rankings throughout the 2025 season.

“You want to play the very best,” Meharg said. “And when you play the very best, you get better every day. Are you going to get scored on? Absolutely, but you just need to score more than the other team.”

The Terps will head to Bloomington, Indiana, for the 2025 Big Ten Tournament from Nov. 6-9 before the NCAA Tournament ends the field hockey season.

Big Expectations

The Terrapins have a rich history. Eight national championships and 27 conference titles highlight a proud tradition of greatness in College Park. This season will be no exception. 

Maryland starts the season ranked No. 4 in the NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll, college field hockey’s ranking system. The Terps are one of seven Big Ten teams to begin the season in the poll.

During the Terps’ 17-match season, they’ll face 11 teams ranked in the top 20 to start the year. This season will be a grind, but Meharg’s group is up to the task.

The quest begins on Friday. Maryland’s 2025 season will be a marathon, not a sprint. It’ll be a trek against plenty of iron-sharpening opposition that’ll allow Meharg’s team to get better with each passing match. 

“What excites me most about this season is seeing how much we’re growing and going to grow as a team,” Kuhne said. “Not just on the field, but in the way we support and push each other every day as well.” 

The message is clear. The path lies ahead, and everyone is on the same page, ready to compete. 

“The energy around Maryland field hockey is incredible,” Kuhne said. “From the fans to the entire program, I’m proud to be part of a team that’s ready to do big things this season.”