The Maryland-Duke rivalry has developed into one of the best in college sports.
The rivalry between the Terps and Blue Devils included a pair of high-stake contests with national titles on the line in the last school year. In both of those cases ? field hockey and women?s basketball ? Maryland was the one hoisting the championship trophy. While the championship was the first for women?s basketball, the field hockey program earned its fourth title overall in 2005 and the third under Missy Meharg.
Meharg led Maryland to a 23-2 record that included an Atlantic Coast Conference championship ? the Terps? sixth ? and a 1-0 win over Duke in the NCAA final. With 13 returning players, including six starters, Meharg feels ready to make a run at back-to-back titles for the first time in school history. The Severna Park resident is 304-93-9 entering her 19th year as Maryland coach.
“One of the great things about being a part of this program is that the players understand the history,” Meharg said. “It makes player want to come in here and work hard.”
While plenty of talent returns to the Terps, they will be more defensive-minded. Maryland must replace two of its starting attack and top two scorers in All-American Jackie Ciconte and Tiffany Marsh. Ciconte had 20 goals and two assists, while Marsh finished with 12 goals and 15 assists.
However, the Terps do have middle back Paula Infante returning. Infante is the reigning Honda Award winner, given annually to the nation?s top player.
The three-time All-American scored 13 goals while playing stellar defense. The team also has four of five returning defenders from a unit that finished second in the nation with a 1.01 goals-against average.
Terps notes
» Maryland?s schedule begins Aug. 26 and includes games against nine of last year?s 16 tournament teams.
» Maryland?s other national titles came in 1987, 1993 and 1999.
» Starting goalie Kathyrn Masson, an All-American, led the nation with a 0.96 goals-against average and had seven shutouts.
