Reed is the son of Jake Reed, who is one of the greatest players to ever wear a Maryland uniform, as a two-time All-American goalie who graduated in 1977 ? two years afterplaying on the Terrapins NCAA title-winning squad.

“I think when it came down to it,” Travis said. “Maryland was the only place for me.”

The Terrapins certainly are glad Travis he followed in his father?s footsteps. When ninth-ranked Maryland visits fifth-ranked North Carolina tonight at 6 at Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill, N.C., they will count him to continue his fabulous freshman season.

Reed has started six of seven games, leads the team with 14 goals and is second on the team with 17 points.

“Travis has played great this season,” Maryland coach Dave Cottle said. “He?s been very opportunistic, and he?s got great skills.”

The Terrapins start three freshman attackers, with Ryan Young and Grant Catalino playing alongside Reed. Young leads the team with 20 points (six goals, 14 assists), with Catalino second with 12 goals.

But Reed is quick to divulge the secret to his success.

“I?ve been really lucky with the opportunities I?ve been given,” he said. “I?ve been in the right place at the right time a lot, and my teammates have been able to get me the ball. So far, I?ve been able to put it in the goal.”

But putting it in the goal has never been a problem for Reed, an All-American his senior year in high school.

“He developed just a tremendous knack for shooting a lacrosse ball,” said Boys? Latin Coach Bob Shriver, who coached Reed his last two years of high school. “At the college level, it?s going to be a little harder for him to carry the ball because the defensemen are so big and strong, but it?s never going to be a problem for him to shoot the ball.”

Not everything in the college game has come easily for Reed, who said he is still adjusting to the faster, more physical game. After starting the season with 12 goals in four games, he has just two goals in his last three games.

“The speed of the game and the size of the defensemen is such a big difference [from high school],” he said. “You go from maybe playing someone who?s around six foot to playing someone who?s six-four, much stronger and much more athletic.”

Travis played on a team that was ranked No. 1 nationally twice in high school, first as a sophomore at McDonogh, where his father was the head coach, before transferring to Boys? Latin and playing for the Lakers? top squad as a junior.

In high school, Travis? teams earned their top-ranking based on votes on a lacrosse Web site. Now, he wants to win one by leading his team to victory in nextmonth?s NCAA Tournament.

And if Travis? family history is any indication, chances are he?ll accomplish that feat in the next four years.

“He is a much better lacrosse player already,” Jake said, “than I ever was.”

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