Field hockey auditions incumbent and upstart in goalkeeper competition

Goalkeepers Melissa Vassalotti and Natalie Hunter are two talented players competing for one spot on the field.

For the Terrapins field hockey team, it's a good problem to have — but a problem nonetheless.

To begin the 2011 season, Vassalotti, a redshirt senior, and Hunter, a sophomore, have shared time in the cage for the Terps. Vassalotti was the team's starter during its conference and national championship runs last season, but coach Missy Meharg said Hunter's steady improvement can't be ignored.

"They're both so ready," Meharg said. "[Vassalotti] has the actual game experience and postseason-type of experience, but [Harper] has had such a tremendous summer. … Right now we're in a great place."

With both players equally deserving the starting spot, Meharg said the plan is to alternate them game by game for the time being. Vassalotti played the entirety of the Terps' first game of the season, a 3-1 victory over No. 19 Boston, while Hunter held Temple scoreless in a 6-0 victory in the team's second game.

"The deal is pretty much let's get both of them equal amount of experience," Meharg said. "When it look like we want to make a decision on one maybe over the other in postseason or whenever that time comes, everybody has had the same amount of opportunity."

The timeshare in goal will continue this weekend when the No. 1 Terps travel to No. 12 Old Dominion on Friday before returning home to host No. 9 Michigan on Sunday. Vassalotti will get the start against the Monarchs, and Hunter will be in cage against the Wolverines.

The situation could negatively affect the team if both players don't buy in to splitting time, Meharg said, but with both players supporting and competing with each other, Meharg and Vassalotti agree that the system will help the Terps.

"They're very gracious and they're very surrendering to the team and to what the team can do in November," Meharg said. "I think they know if they aren't, then it's not going to helpful for us to be in a position to win, so they're pretty mature about that."

Said Vassalotti: "Obviously, it's a great opportunity for both keepers to get a chance to get game playing time. It's definitely a great problem for the team to have two good goalkeepers who are comfortable in the cage and can handle game situations."

The Terps will be in for difficult tests facing two of the nation's top 12 teams this weekend, but if Meharg's two-goalie system is any indication, the Terps will be focused on themselves rather than on their highly ranked competition.

"We need to compete against ourselves. Let ourselves be the marker, and stay away from analyzing the other teams and where things are," Meharg said. "I'm really interested in constantly competing with ourselves and bettering ourselves."

vitale@umdbk.com