University of Maryland Athletics

Aug. 13, 2011

LIKE! Maryland Women's Soccer on Facebook

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COLLEGE PARK, MD. - This is part four of a seven-part series that will preview the 2011 Maryland women's soccer team and season. Fans will be introduced to many of the key offensive and defensive players, potential impact newcomers and a look at one of the Terps' most challenging schedules ever.

Head coach Brian Pensky knows he has the luxury of having a fifth-year returnee in Yewande Balogun in goal.

Balogun is in her third season as a starter and is among the school's career goalkeeping leaders in a number of categories, including ranking No. 1 in goals-against average (0.98).

But goalkeeping depth is crucial in a conference like the ACC and Pensky feels his team is as deep as any in the league.

"I'd say we are about as deep as we've been at the goalkeeper position in my time at Maryland," said Pensky. "Yewande, of course, is coming off an outstanding season, and redshirt sophomore Shannon Zickler just continues to get better and better. And then freshman Rachelle Beanlands adds tremendous quality that will round out one of the top goalkeeping trio's around."

Zickler competed for the starting spot a year ago and looked solid in the Terps' preseason exhibitions.

Beanlands is the youngest member of the Maryland squad and could benefit from a redshirt season. She could also miss some games this season due to commitments to the Canadian National Team. Beanlands is expected to compete for the starting spot on Canada's U-20 team that will compete in the 2012 CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship.