General information. Table of Contents Quick Facts Schedule 1 This is Maryland Field Hockey 2 Honored Terps 4 Terps Off the Field 5

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1 m e d i a a n d r e c r u i t i n g g u i d e General information Quick Facts University Information Location College Park, Md Founded 1856 Enrollment 36,014 Nickname Terrapins, Terps Colors Red, White, Black and Gold Affiliation NCAA Division I Conference Atlantic Coast Home Field Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex (1,400) President Dr. C.D. Mote Jr. (California 59) Athletic Director Deborah A. Yow (Elon 74) Coaching Staff Head Coach Missy Meharg (Delaware '85) Overall Record (20) Record at Maryland (20) Associate Head Coach Marybeth Freeman (Old Dominion '03) Technical Director/Coach Tjerk van Herwaarden (HES '97) Undergraduate Assistant Coach Paula Infante Field Hockey Office Phone Office Fax Team Information First Year of Field Hockey 1974 National Championships 5 (1987, 1993, 1999, 2005, 2006) NCAA Tournament Appearances/Last 20/2007 ACC Titles 6 (1992, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005) 2007 Overall Record 18-3 ACC Record/Place 4-1/2nd Postseason NCAA Second Round Final NFHCA Ranking 3rd Letterwinners Returning/Lost 15/3 Starters Returning/Lost 9/2 Newcomers 4 Media Relations Asst. Director/FH Contact Natalia Ciccone Media Relations Phone Ciccone s Office Phone Ciccone s Cell Phone Ciccone s nciccone@umd.edu Media Relations Fax Terps Website Table of Contents Quick Facts Schedule 1 This is Maryland Field Hockey 2 Honored Terps 4 Terps Off the Field 5 Terps on National Teams 6 Home of Maryland Field Hockey 7 Terps in the 2008 Olympics 8 Roster Information 9 Pronunciation Guide Outlook 10 Coaching Staff Head Coach Missy Meharg 12 Associate Head Coach Marybeth Freeman 16 Technical Dir./Coach Tjerk van Herwaarden 16 Support Staff 17 Terrapin Profiles Season Review Review Notebook 29 Results and Statistics 30 Game Recaps 31 History, Honors and Records Terp Field Hockey History 37 Year-By-Year Records 38 Coaching History 38 Postseason Tournament History 39 ACC Tournament History 40 Career and Single-Season Records 41 Team and Miscellaneous Records 42 Maryland All-Americans 43 Atlantic Coast Conference Honors 44 Terps on National Teams 45 Game-By-Game Results 46 Series Records 49 All-Time Letterwinners 50 Opponent Information 52 University of Maryland University Profile 54 President C.D. Mote Jr. 55 Athletics Director Deborah A. Yow 56 UM s Distinguished Alumni 58 Academic Support & Career Development 59 Media Information schedule Day Date Opponent Location Time Tue. August 26 Junior FC Spain College Park, Md. 6 p.m. Sun. August 31 at Lock Haven Lock Haven, Pa. 12 p.m. Mon. September 1 at Penn State State College, Pa. 5 p.m. Fri. September 5 OLD DOMINION College Park, Md. 3 p.m. Sun. September 7 at Michigan Ann Arbor, Mich. 1 p.m. terrapin invitational Sat. September 13 SYRACUSE College Park, Md. 11 a.m. Northwestern vs. American College Park, Md. 1 p.m. Sun. September 14 NOrthwestern College Park, Md. 12 p.m. Delaware vs. Syracuse College Park, Md. 2 p.m. Wed. September 17 AMERICAN College Park, Md. 3 p.m. Sat. September 20 BOSTON COLLEGE College Park, Md. 1 p.m. Sat. September 27 at Wake Forest Winston-Salem, N.C. 1 p.m. Sun. September 28 RICHMOND College Park, Md. 2 p.m. Sat. October 4 at Virginia Charlottesville, Va. 1 p.m. Sat. October 11 DUKE College Park, Md. 1 p.m. Sun. October 12 PENNSYLVANIA College Park, Md. 2 p.m. Tue. October 14 at Princeton Princeton, N.J. 7 p.m. Fri. October 17 at Old Dominion Norfolk, Va. 5 p.m. Sun. October 19 DELAWARE College Park, Md. 2 p.m. Sat. October 25 NORTH CAROLINA College Park, Md. 1 p.m. Thur. October 30 VCU College Park, Md. 7 p.m. acc tournament Thur. November 6 ACC First Round Durham, N.C. Fri. November 7 ACC Semifinals Durham, N.C. Sun. November 9 ACC Final Durham, N.C. ncaa tournament Sat. November 15 NCAA First Round Campus Sites Sun. November 16 NCAA Second Round Campus Sites Fri. November 21 NCAA Semifinals Louisville, Ky. Sun. November 23 NCAA Championship Game Louisville, Ky. HOME GAMES IN BOLD CAPS at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex Denotes ACC Games All times and dates subject to change. All times Eastern unless noted. Media Guide Credits The 2008 Maryland field hockey media guide was written and designed by Natalia Ciccone, assistant media relations director. Design by Patrick Fischer, publications coordinator and associate media relations director. Editorial assistance provided by Gene Bertalik, Doug Dull, Jodi Fick, Michael Lipitz, Abby Sondak. Cover design by John Schaffhauser. Photography by Greg Fiume, Larry French, James Lang, Rafael Suanes, Sandy Worth, USA Field Hockey, NCAA Photos, the Maryland Athletic Dept. Archives, and friends and family of the Terrapin field hockey team. Printing by Multi-Ad. Copies of this media guide can be purchased for $10 plus $3 for shipping and handling, by writing the Athletic Media Relations Office, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, or by calling (301)

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3 Playing For Championships Maryland has won five NCAA Championships, the second-most of any school in the country, winning back-to-back titles in 2005 and Making 21 postseason appearances, 20 in the NCAA Tournament, the Terps have been in contention for the crown numerous times, advancing to the national semifinals 12 times and the title game seven times. Maryland was in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament four straight years from :: 1987 NCAA Champions Maryland wins its first NCAA Championship in 1987, defeating North Carolina, 2-1. The game marked head coach Sue Tyler s last at the Terrapin helm. 2 :: Six years later, the Terps capture their second title in 1993, the first under head coach Missy Meharg. They defeated North Carolina, again, 2-1, in penalty strokes. 3 :: It took another six years for Maryland to hoist the national championship trophy, winning the 1999 championship with a 2-1 win over Michigan in Boston, Mass. 6 4 :: It seemed to be fate. Six years after winning the program's third national crown, Maryland claimed its fourth, shutting out Duke, 1-0, in Louisville, Ky. 5 :: The Terps break its six-year "jinx," successfully defending their national title and capturing the program's fifth overall and fourth under head coach Missy Meharg. Maryland defeated Wake Forest on its home field, 1-0. In addition, Maryland has been crowned ACC Champions six times, all coming under Meharg. The Terps won four in a row from Its last title was won on Maryland's home field in The White House 8 7 The 1987 team holds the distinction of being the first field hockey national champions to be honored at the White House, visiting President Ronald Reagan. Maryland went on to meet Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The coaches 6 :: Legendary coach Sue Tyler mentored the Terps from , winning over 150 games and capturing Maryland's first national championship in She is the only DI-A coach to win national titles in two sports (women's lacrosse and field hockey) 7 :: Hired as an assistant coach in 1985 by Tyler, Missy Meharg was promoted to head coach in She became Maryland's all-time winningest coach in 1998 and has logged over 300 victories in her 20-year tenure. She has led the Terps to four NCAA titles and all six ACC crowns. 8 :: Meharg's first team in 1988 marked the beginning of a new era and a continued tradition of excellence.

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5 Honda Award The Honda Award is presented to the nation s most outstanding field hockey player. Two Terrapins have earned the sport's highest honor in the history of the program. 1 :: Autumn Welsh was Maryland field hockey s first recipient of the prestigious honor in :: The most decorated player in Maryland field hockey history, Paula Infante became the second Honda Award winner in the program s history in 2005, then earned the honor again in In 2006, she went on to become one of the top-five finalists for the coveted Honda-Broderick Cup, given to the NCAA s Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. 7 8 National Recognition In the Terrapins 34-year history, 44 players have earned 78 All- American citations, including 74 under 20-year head coach Missy Meharg. Of the 44 Terps, five were selected All-Americans each of their four years: 2 :: Paula Infante - the only Terrapin to be named first team All- American all four years from ; 3 :: Lauren Powley ( ); 4 :: Carla Tagliente ( ); 5 :: Kim Turner ( ). 9 National Coach of the Year 6 :: Missy Meharg has been selected the National Coach of the Year an unprecedented six times (1991, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006). Off the Field 7 :: Legendary Maryland men's basketball coach Gary Williams participated in a ceremonial pass-back prior to the start of a regularseason game. 8 :: Missy Meharg and the newly-elected Governor of Maryland Martin O Malley. The national champions are the first team under Governor O Malley s tenure invited to the Governor s House :: Numerous players return to College Park every year to play in the Terps' annual Alumni Game, which is played at the state-of-the-art Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. 10 :: The Terrapins look forward to the team's yearly End-of-the- Year Banquet where the players, coaches, staff, families, friends and alumni gather to recap the season, honor the senior class and enjoy delicious food :: Emily Trycinski is among the numerous field hockey studentathletes to graduate with a degree from Maryland. In 2007, the Terps received the NFHCA's Team Award for achieving a team grade point average of at least 3.0. Seven were named to the National Academic Squad.

6 The Terrapins have long been a pipeline to the U.S. National and Junior National Teams. Five Terps are currently on the U.S. National team, while many others have been members of national squads from other countries, including current Chilean National Team member and two-time Honda Award winner Paula Infante.

7 Field hockey & Lacrosse Complex The premier state-of-the-art Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex seats 1,400 spectators and meets the highest standards of the F.I.H., field hockey's international governing body. Opened in 2003, Phase I of construction of the fan-friendly facility featured a high-performance, water-based nylon Astroturf 12 playing surface and a remote watering system. Phase II and III of the project were completed in October 2005, which included the completion of a full concourse-level plaza with permanent restrooms, concession areas, team locker rooms, team meeting room, training room and an equipment storage area. Top field hockey & Lacrosse complex Attendances 1,784 ^ vs. Boston University Oct. 7, ,734 * vs. Wake Forest Sept. 22, ,306 vs. Wake Forest Nov. 6, ,243 vs. Wake Forest Sept. 24, ,222 vs. North Carolina Oct. 22, 2006 * ACC Record ^ School Record High-Level Competition Field hockey fans have been treated to the best field hockey this country has to offer at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex, hosting U.S. Field Hockey's Four Nation Tournament where the U.S. upset Argentina in 2006, ACC Championships and NCAA Tournament games. In 2007, the U.S. Team hosted a series vs. Japan in October. The field also served as the site of the semifinals and championship games of the 2007 NCAA Tournament, the first time the championship round was held in the state of Maryland. Fan Support The field hockey faithful have supported the National Champion Terrapins throughout the season. Maryland led the nation in average and total home attendance in 2007.

8 Former Terrapins Lauren powley, Dina Rizzo and Keli Smith were among the 16 players named to the U.S. Olympic Field Hockey Team in June. The trio, along with Sara Silvetti, who was named an alternate, will travel to the 2008 Games in Beijing, China. They are the first Terps to participate in the Olympic Games since Sara keli Silvetti Missy meharg lauren smith mary beth freeman powley dina rizzo

9 m e d i a a n d r e c r u i t i n g g u i d e Roster Information Numerical Roster No. Name Pos. Hgt. Cl./El. Hometown/High School 1 Melissa Vassalotti GK 5-4 So./Fr. Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Saint Basil Academy 3 Brianna Davies B/M 5-5 Jr./Jr. Annville, Pa./Palmyra Area 4 Brigitte Strother F 5-1 Fr./Fr. Annapolis, Md./Broadneck 5 Emily Ellenberger B 5-8 So./Fr. Gaithersburg, Md./Quince Orchard 6 Susie Rowe B 5-7 Sr./Sr. London, England/Colfe's School 8 Meghan Dean M/F 5-5 So./So. Marathon, N.Y./Marathon Central 9 Cornelia Duffin F 5-9 Fr./Fr. Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown 10 Ameliet Rischen M 5-6 Jr./Jr. Rotterdam, Netherlands/Wolfert Borselen 11 Danielle Keeley M/F 5-7 Sr./Sr. Elkton, Md./North East 12 Mary Reilly F 5-2 So./So. Newark, Del./Archmere Academy 13 Nicole Muracco F 5-7 Jr./Jr. Sewell, N.J./Washington Township 14 Amanda Himmelheber B 5-6 So./So. Severna Park, Md./Severna Park 15 Ellen Ott B 5-6 Sr./Sr. Schwenksville, Pa./Perkioman Valley 16 Katie O Donnell F 5-2 So./So. Blue Bell, Pa./Wissahickon 17 Alexis Pappas M 5-7 Jr./Jr. Mount Joy, Pa./Donegal 18 Kristina Foster M 5-2 Jr./Jr. Medford, N.J./Shawnee 19 Alicia Morawski B 5-7 Jr./So. Grosse Point, Mich./Grosse Point South 20 Michelle Lane M/B 5-6 Fr./Fr. Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge 22 Sarah Scholl F 5-1 Sr./Sr. Center Valley, Pa./Southern Lehigh 43 Brittany Dipper GK 5-6 Fr./Fr. Clarksboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional 99 Alicia Grater GK 5-7 Sr./Jr. Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown Area Head Coach: Missy Meharg, 21st year at Maryland (Delaware '85) Associate Head Coach: Marybeth Freeman, 6th year at Maryland (Old Dominion '03) Techinical Director/Coach: Tjerk van Herwaarden, 4th year at Maryland (HES '97) Undergraduate Assistant Coach: Paula Infante, 2nd year (Maryland) Alphabetical Roster No. Name Pos. Hgt. Cl./El. Hometown/High School 3 Brianna Davies B/M 5-5 Jr./Jr. Annville, Pa./Palmyra Area 8 Meghan Dean M/F 5-5 So./So. Marathon, N.Y./Marathon Central 43 Brittany Dipper GK 5-6 Fr./Fr. Clarksboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional 9 Cornelia Duffin F 5-9 Fr./Fr. Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown 5 Emily Ellenberger B 5-8 So./Fr. Gaithersburg, Md./Quince Orchard 18 Kristina Foster M 5-2 Jr./Jr. Medford, N.J./Shawnee 99 Alicia Grater GK 5-7 Sr./Jr. Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown Area 14 Amanda Himmelheber B 5-6 So./So. Severna Park, Md./Severna Park 11 Danielle Keeley M/F 5-7 Sr./Sr. Elkton, Md./North East 20 Michelle Lane M/B 5-6 Fr./Fr. Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge 19 Alicia Morawski B 5-7 Jr./So. Grosse Point, Mich./Grosse Point South 13 Nicole Muracco F 5-7 Jr./Jr. Sewell, N.J./Washington Township 16 Katie O Donnell F 5-2 So./So. Blue Bell, Pa./Wissahickon 15 Ellen Ott B 5-6 Sr./Sr. Schwenksville, Pa./Perkioman Valley 17 Alexis Pappas M 5-7 Jr./Jr. Mount Joy, Pa./Donegal 12 Mary Reilly F 5-2 So./So. Newark, Del./Archmere Academy 10 Ameliet Rischen M 5-6 Jr./Jr. Rotterdam, Netherlands/Wolfert Borselen 6 Susie Rowe B 5-7 Sr./Sr. London, England/Colfe's School 22 Sarah Scholl F 5-1 Sr./Sr. Center Valley, Pa./Southern Lehigh 4 Brigitte Strother F 5-1 Fr./Fr. Annapolis, Md./Broadneck 1 Melissa Vassalotti GK 5-4 So./Fr. Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Saint Basil Academy Head Coach: Missy Meharg, 21st year at Maryland (Delaware '85) Associate Head Coach: Marybeth Freeman, 6th year at Maryland (Old Dominion '03) Techinical Director/Coach: Tjerk van Herwaarden, 4th year at Maryland (HES '97) Undergraduate Assistant Coach: Paula Infante, 2nd year (Maryland) SQUAD BREAKDOWN Terps By Class Seniors (4): Danielle Keeley, Ellen Ott, Susie Rowe, Sarah Scholl Juniors (6): Brianna Davies, Kristina Foster, Alicia Grater, Nicole Muracco, Alexis Pappas, Ameliet Rischen Sophomores (5): Meghan Dean, Amanda Himmelheber, Alicia Morawski, Katie O'Donnell, Mary Reilly Redshirt Freshman (2): Emily Ellenberger, Melissa Vassalotti Freshmen (4): Brittany Dipper, Cornelia Duffin, Michelle Lane, Brigitte Strother Terps By POsition Forwards (8): Meghan Dean, Cornelia Duffin, Danielle Keeley, Nicole Muracco, Katie O'Donnell, Sarah Scholl, Brigitte Strother, Mary Reilly Midfielders (7): Brianna Davies, Meghan Dean, Kristina Foster, Danielle Keeley, Michelle Lane, Alexis Pappas, Ameliet Rischen Backs (7): Brianna Davies, Emily Ellenberger, Amanda Himmelheber, Michelle Lane, Alicia Morawski, Ellen Ott, Susie Rowe Goalkeepers (3): Brittany Dipper, Alicia Grater, Melissa Vassalotti Terps By State/Country Delaware (1): Mary Reilly Maryland (4): Emily Ellenberger, Danielle Keeley, Amanda Himmelheber, Brigitte Strother Michigan (1): Alicia Morawski New Jersey (4): Brittany Dipper, Cornelia Duffin, Kristina Foster, Nicole Muracco Pennsylvania (7): Brianna Davies, Alicia Grater, Katie O'Donnell, Ellen Ott, Alexis Pappas, Sarah Scholl, Melissa Vassolatti New York (1): Meghan Dean Virginia (1): Michelle Lane England (1): Susie Rowe Netherlands (1): Ameliet Rischen Pronunciation Guide Brianna Davies BREE-an-uh Amanda Himmelheber HIM-ehl-heh-ber Paula Infante pah-oo-lah ee-fahn-tay Missy Meharg muh-harg Alicia Morawski more-ah-skee Nicole Muracco muh-rah-ko Ameliet Rischen AHM-eh-leet REESH-en Brigitte Strother breh-geet Tjerk van Herwaarden CHAIR-ick van hair-wahr-den

10 F i e l d H o c k e y Season Outlook Terps look to veterans to lead team in 2008 The 2007 campaign looked to be another year of destiny for the Terrapins after coming off backto-back National Championships in 2005 and 2006, the core of the team returning, the addition of highly-talented freshmen and the Final Four taking place at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex, their home field. But Maryland fell one game shy of the final weekend, however, and was reminded of what it missed out on watching the national championship from the stands and not from the field. It was the first time in five years the Terps did not advance to the national semifinals. Our players, staff and program were proud to host our first NCAA Championship games, said head coach Missy Meharg, who celebrated her 20 years on the Maryland sidelines last season. We fell short, losing to Penn State, and it was a humbling experience to have this event on our home field, but we learned valuable lessons. The players acted with such pride throughout the weekend and realized the true sense of not taking things for granted. From this we have grown, regrouped and taken ownership of what we need to do to succeed in the postseason. The new calendar year has seen a rejuvenated Terrapin squad. Spring workouts and competitions have been ramped up with players taking advantage of the opportunity to improve and build on what was learned the previous season. Maryland returns almost every player from last year s team, 15 in all. Of the 15 returning letterwinners, a core group of juniors and seniors were members of the 05 and 06 national championship teams. Maryland will miss its two major losses in midfielder Janneke van Leeuwen and goalkeeper Kathryn Masson, both All-Americans. Also graduating was Kim Ziegler, a workhorse on the field on the forward line. However, among those the Terps welcome back are Honda Award finalist Katie O Donnell, a member of the U.S. National Team, veteran defender and two-time All-American Susie Rowe and 2006 All-American Nicole Muracco. Maryland will turn up the excitement in The Terps will play with flair, energy and excitement from baseline to baseline with the entire team getting involved in the offense. Look for a highpaced, high-scoring brand of play as Maryland looks to make a return to the national semifinals in Louisville, Ky., where they won the program's fourth national title in Attack Maryland was among the top three in the nation in offense a year ago and the unit returns intact. O Donnell arrived on campus as a freshman and hit the ground running. The U.S. National Team member led the nation in points per game (2.52), while ranking fourth in goals (0.86) and assists per game (0.81). She was a Honda Award finalist and an All-American, while also becoming the first-ever Terrapin to win an ACC player of the year honor as a freshman, being tabbed the conference s Offensive Player of the Year. Katie brings a more fierce scoring-minded style of play, Meharg said. She had a great first year, but she s learned some new tricks while with the national team for half the year. Muracco is another All-American returning to the forward line. Now a junior, she followed up an ACC Rookie of the Year campaign with an almost equally impressive sophomore season, using finesse around the cage to score goals. As a junior, however, she brings a more complete game, which includes playmaking, as well as a scoring knack. Senior Sarah Scholl enters her final campaign as a Terrapin and has been a model of consistency on the forward line. Her workhorse mentality will set the example for the underclassmen as they adjust to the Maryland system. A bright student-athlete, earning national and conference academic honors every season, she has worked on her shot selection to complement her dishing mentality. Sophomore Meghan Dean, a member of the U.S. Under-21 team, will make her way back to the forward line where she was a high school All-American. Classmate Mary Reilly saw limited playing time last season but has a powerful shot and has improved her confidence on the field. Also joining the Terrapins on the forward line is Cornelia Duffin who brings size and power to the front line, and Brigitte Strother, a local product from nearby Annapolis, Md., who has a high workrate with a scoring mentality. Midfield Transition play will be a key for the Terps in 2008, which will steer the high-powered attack Maryland plans to implement. A big loss for the midfield unit is van Leeuwen, who was a cog in the lineup for four seasons. However, the core of Ameliet Rischen, Alexis Pappas and Kristina Foster, all juniors, and senior Danielle Keeley, are interchangeable on the line. Rischen returns as a two-year starter in the midfield, earning NFHCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region honors as a sophomore. Hailing from the Netherlands, she focused on strength training in the spring and continues to develop in that area. Pappas has settled into a role in the midfield after making the move from the forward unit as a sophomore. She, along with Rischen, has worked on releasing the ball quickly and keeping the tempo of the game moving. Foster has outstanding technical skills, but the spark she provides coming off the bench can not be quantified. She brings terrific energy that is contagious and works hard the entire time on the field. Incoming freshman Michelle Lane has played defense primarily in her career, but will be moved to the midfield unit to have more opportunities to get more involved on the field and develop her skills. Backfield Maryland s outstanding defense returns every key starter in The Terps have a veteran unit that boasts a lot of experience. The strength of the team begins in the backfield, which will be the key to generating the high-paced tempo the Terps are looking for this season. There is a tremendous amount of seniority in the backfield in Susie Rowe, Ellen Ott, Brianna Davies and Alicia Grater, said Meharg. We have a tremendous amount of confidence in that group. Anchoring the backfield will be Rowe, a two-time All-American who has combined toughness with skill in her three years as a starter on the Maryland defense. She helped the backfield rank third in the nation in team goals against average. She also has a prowess on offense as a stalwart on the penalty corner unit. Last season, she was tied for second on the team in goals scored, tallying career-highs in every offensive category goals (14), assists (6) and points (34). Ott also became a force on defense last season, earning a starting role. She went on to earn her first regional honor, receiving second team Mid-Atlantic All-Region recognition. Davies has started every game on defense since arriving on campus and was an all-region pick as a freshman. Her speed is unrivaled and has begun to understand how to use it to her advantage. Also bringing physical strength to the backfield is Alicia Morawski, who is a natural ice hockey player. A junior on the playing field, she has three seasons of experience under her belt with the Terps after redshirting her freshman campaign. She will compete for a spot in the rotation as her skills have continued to improve in the offseason. Honda Award finalist, All-American and ACC Offensive Player of the Year Katie O'Donnell

11 m e d i a a n d r e c r u i t i n g g u i d e 1 1 Susie Rowe Entering her second season, Amanda Himmelheber is also a defensive starter returning to the lineup. A lefty, she has solid intercepting skills with her backhand and is also another physically strong player for the Terps. Goalkeepers The biggest change will be in the loss of Kathryn Masson, a three-time All-American goalkeeper who left Maryland ranked in the top five in several career and single-season school records. However, looking to pick up where she left off are Alicia Grater and Melissa Vassalotti, while incoming freshman Brittany Dipper will look to compete for some playing time, as well. We were fortunate to have two outstanding goalies over the last couple of years, said Meharg. Kat was certainly a terrific talent and was our go-to in the cage. But Alicia has proven through practices and the minutes she has earned in games that she is more than capable of taking over the reins. While she will be a junior on the playing field, Grater has already been with the squad for three seasons, after redshirting her freshman campaign. She has played behind Masson for three years and became a solid goalkeeper. Now with Masson graduated, Grater will be called upon to take on the leadership position and bring along the younger goalies in Vassalotti and Dipper. The defensive unit has also shown through the spring competition the utmost respect and confidence with their new general in the cage. Vassalotti redshirted her freshman year and learned valuable lessons, while also continuing to improve her goaltending skills. Dipper is a throw back to the days of two-sport athletes in college. Signing a National Letter of Intent to play for the Maryland lacrosse squad, she will play with the field hockey team in the fall. In just the second game of the campaign, the Terps travel to play the Nittany Lions for the first time since Maryland will look to avenge its 2007 NCAA Tournament loss to PSU in the second round, ending the Terps streak of four-straight year national semifinal appearances. The Terps open the home season on Sept. 5 with Old Dominion, a rivalry which continues to grow with every passing season. It is also the opening game of the home-and-home series between the teams, with the second matchup coming on Oct. 16 in Norfolk, Va. The teams met three times last year, with Maryland sweeping all three games, including an NCAA Tournament clash. After hosting the Lady Monarchs, the Terps travel to Michigan on Sept. 7 to close out the weekend. The last two games between the teams have been decided in overtime. Maryland returns home to host the Terrapin Invitational, featuring the Big East s Syracuse, the Big 10 s Northwestern, Patriot League champion American and Delaware from the CAA. The Orange burst onto the field hockey scene last year. It is the first meeting between the teams since In the two-day event on Sept. 13 and 14, the Terrapins will take on Syracuse on the first day, then the Wildcats on the second day. AU will play NU on the second day, while the Blue Hens take on Syracuse in the closing game of the tournament on day two. After taking a sneak peak at the Eagles at the Terrapin Invitational, AU visits the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex a few days later on Sept. 17. Already boasting the best fans in the nation, this matchup has drawn one of the best crowds of the season as the rivalry continues to strengthen. Following that game, Maryland opens ACC play with four of its league games coming in the next five games. Boston College makes a visit on Sept. 20, followed by a trip to Wake Forest on Sept. 27. The Demon Deacons bounced Maryland out of the ACC Tournament in the semifinals and the Terps are looking for revenge. After Maryland hosts Richmond on Sept. 28, a short trip to Virginia is on tap on Oct. 4, with the stretch coming to a close on Oct. 11 against Duke at home. Maryland will then take on the Ivy League s best in back-to-back games on Oct. 12 and Oct. 14. Penn comes back to College Park for the first time in three years, then the Terps head to league champion Princeton. The final road contest is at ODU, followed by three-straight home games to end the season. Delaware returns for its matchup with Maryland on Oct. 17. The 2007 National Champion Tar Heels are the last ACC foe on the slate. North Carolina will come for an exciting matchup on Oct. 25. The final regular-season game is against VCU on Oct. 30. The evening will also feature the annual Senior Night as the Terps will play tribute to the senior class that evening. The ACC Tournament, always an exciting precursor to the national tournament, will be hosted by Duke on Nov. 6, 7 and 8 in Durham, N.C. Maryland will look to make a better showing this season and vie for its seventh conference crown. The NCAA Tournament begins Nov. 15 and 16 at campus sites, while the national semifinals and championship games will be hosted by the University of Louisville. Should the Terps make it to the last weekend, it will bring back fond memories of the team s 2005 title run, when they won the title on that field. Schedule Maryland s non-conference schedule features teams from seven different conferences, while also competing in the nation s top field hockey conference in the ACC. After opening the season at Lock Haven on Aug. 31, Maryland plays three teams from the Big Ten in the next five-game stretch. Four of its six games during the first half of September are against teams that were ranked in the top 15 in the final coaches poll of 2007, including national finalist Penn State. With the way the schedule is constructed, we will know within the first few weeks of the season where we re at. These are early markers before we get into the heart of the season and begin the ACC slate. Nicole Muracco Sarah Scholl