By Brian Kapur
While the names on the back of the jerseys change year-to-year, Maryland remains on the front and so do the expectations. The Terps come into this season with a slew of new faces and will have to replace last year's senior class which was held a record of 85-8. But as one preseason poll revealed, expectations are as high as ever with the Terps at No.2 in that poll.
Although there are many new aspects to the field hockey team this season, the Terps still have Katie O'Donnell who is widely regarded as the best field hockey player in the country. and newly minted hall of fame coach Missy Meharg. While every team the Terps face will try to stop O'Donnell and make the other Terps beat them. But Meharg has done a great job of reloading and there will be plenty of offensive fire power alongside O'Donnell as well as a new-look defense.
On the attack, Meghan Frazer is expected to have a huge offensive season and was a preseason all- ACC pick. Frazer scored the game winning goal in the ACC title game last season and brings an attitude and toughness to the Terps. The Terps offense also returns Janessa Pope who had a productive freshman season and will now be called upon to play a bigger role.
The Terps have a lot of young offensive talent that will emerge and as the season
begins expect the likes of Jill Witmer and Lindsey Puckett to play big roles while others could definitely emerge on the offensive end.
On defense the Terps have a new look. Returning starters are captain Alicia Morawski and Colleen Gulick; and Harriet Tibble, who saw significant playing time late last season. The Terps will also bring back Amanda Himmelheber who has played big minutes in the past and Meghan Dean returns after an ACL injury derailed her last season.
Among the new comers, Lauren Barr stands out as a defensive version of Frazer- she is expected to bring some added toughness and physical play- to the defense as well.
In goal the Terps will split minutes between Redshirt Junior Melissa Vassalotti and Natalie Hunter. Coach Missy Meharg has voiced confidence in both keepers and is happy to have two keepers that can play.
While the Terps will have to evolve and find their own identity, one thing is for certain, this team is built to run and this team is going to be an exciting one to watch.
On the attack, Meghan Frazer is expected to have a huge offensive season and was a preseason all- ACC pick. Frazer scored the game winning goal in the ACC title game last season and brings an attitude and toughness to the Terps. The Terps offense also returns Janessa Pope who had a productive freshman season and will now be called upon to play a bigger role.
The Terps have a lot of young offensive talent that will emerge and as the season
begins expect the likes of Jill Witmer and Lindsey Puckett to play big roles while others could definitely emerge on the offensive end.On defense the Terps have a new look. Returning starters are captain Alicia Morawski and Colleen Gulick; and Harriet Tibble, who saw significant playing time late last season. The Terps will also bring back Amanda Himmelheber who has played big minutes in the past and Meghan Dean returns after an ACL injury derailed her last season.
Among the new comers, Lauren Barr stands out as a defensive version of Frazer- she is expected to bring some added toughness and physical play- to the defense as well.
In goal the Terps will split minutes between Redshirt Junior Melissa Vassalotti and Natalie Hunter. Coach Missy Meharg has voiced confidence in both keepers and is happy to have two keepers that can play.
While the Terps will have to evolve and find their own identity, one thing is for certain, this team is built to run and this team is going to be an exciting one to watch.
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