Maryland?s Amanda Spinnenweber should have completely enjoyed her first college lacrosse game Monday. The freshman midfielder scored four goals and had two assists as No. 6 Maryland routed host University of Maryland-Baltimore County, 23-8.
But the former three-sport standout at Chesapeake High in Anne Arundel County suffered mixed emotions after the game ? her older sister, Lynnea, a junior, played sparingly in the midfield for UMBC.
Despite being upset for her sister, Spinnenweber said she thoroughly enjoyed getting to play so much in her college debut.
“At first, I was really nervous, but then the adrenaline kicked in,” Amanda said. “I spoke with my sister the night before the game, and we wished each other luck individually, although not for the teams. She?ll hear about it when I get home, although I?ll be nice. It?s just great to play my first game against my sister. I never thought that I?d get that opportunity in college.”
Monday was also unusual for the sisters? father, John Spinnenweber, who found himself and the rest of his family sitting in the center of UMBC Stadium trying to remain as neutral as possible.
“Lynnea not playing too much put a damper on the day, but that?s just part of competing on a Division I lacrosse team,” John said. “Still, it was a pretty special day to see two of my children playing on the same college lacrosse field at the same time.”
The Maryland-UMBC game also provided conflicting emotions for the Kasper family. That family?s loyalties were torn between older sister Jen, a fifth-year senior midfielder at UMBC, and Kelly, a junior midfielder at Maryland. Both sisters had standout prep careers in Carroll County with Jen graduating from South Carroll and Kelly graduating from Century.
Like the Spinnenwebers, the Kaspers didn?t get the full experience they hoped for Monday, as Kelly did not play due to injury. Jen Kasper finished the game winning three draw controls for the Retrievers.
“It really helped growing up going at each other playing lacrosse,” Jen Kasper said. “She helped me on my draws which helped me [Monday]. But, 100 percent we?ve always supported each other. We gave each other some tips before the game, but we both wanted to win.”
Sister act
» UMBC senior Lynnea Spinnenweber came to the school last year after playing at Anne Arundel Community College. Prior to that she attended St. Mary?s, where she played basketball.
» Lynnea and Amanda Spinnenweber, the latter a freshman midfielder at Maryland, were three-sport athletes while in high school at Chesapeake-AA. Both lettered in soccer, lacrosse and basketball.
» UMBC senior midfielder Jen Kasper ranked fourth on the Retrievers last year in goals (26) and points (42). She was second on the team with 16 assists.
» Maryland junior attack Kelly Kasper started all 20 games last year for the Terps. She led the team with 27 assists, 62 draw controls and 42 caused turnovers. She is also second on the squad with 44 goals and 71 points.
