Seniors helping to fill in learning gap

The Terrapin field hockey roster is a study in extremes.

On one end are seven seniors, all of whom have logged significant time with the Terps. On the opposite side are nine freshmen, two new to the country. Only three sophomores and four juniors are in between, bridging the experience gap.

But the disparity hasn't led to discord for the No. 1 Terps.

"We have a diverse group, but there has already been mentoring among the players," coach Missy Meharg said. "We've been working with the upperclassmen on the concept of looking at the younger players with respect and working to earn their respect, and we're seeing results already."

Freshmen are often hesitant and shy at first, according to Meharg, as they try to learn the new system and bring their play to a higher level. But this season the adjustment period was expedited thanks to seniors counseling their new teammates and pushing them to achieve.

Now, five games into the season, the old and new players have pulled together seamlessly. Freshmen challenge the seniors at timed running drills in practice while seniors pass on the wisdom they've gathered in their time with the Terps.

"It's been quite a transition from what I'm used to," said freshman midfielder and Irish national team member Megan Frazer. "But everyone's all been so welcoming and there's just nothing you can't have once you ask."

The relationships built between the teammates are paying dividends on the field. The more experienced starters, including all seven seniors, anchor the lineup, allowing their younger teammates time to find their niche in the rotation.

And the freshmen, far from being timid, are already making an impact. Frazer has one goal, and forward Janessa Pope and back Colleen Gulick have a goal and an assist each. All but two freshmen have played in at least one game, and Pope, Gulick and forward Lindsey Puckett have seen time on the field in all five.

"You would think, ‘Oh man, there's a lot of them, and it's going to be hard to get them to mold into our way and how we win and play,'" senior back Alexis Pappas said. "But this group of freshmen are really, really great. They came in and just molded really, really nicely."

Another benefit to the roster's age gap is that the seniors are essentially grooming their replacements for a team that next year will be underclassmen-heavy.

But this year has only just started, and the Terps prefer to focus on this season and the time they have together first, starting with the Terrapin Invitational this weekend.

"As a team I think we now have all of our pieces as far as individual players, so it's just putting that together, making it work and just really having fun," senior goalie Alicia Grater said.

kyanchulis@umdbk.com