Kelly Kasper is the first to acknowledge it.
“I think I?ve actually grown a lot as a player,” she said. “There?s not so much of a mean streak. I used to be wild and crazy, but the last couple years I?ve learned to control myself and my energy, and use it in positive ways. I?m getting less fouls. Before, I was going out and had no idea what was going on.”
But the senior midfielder certainly does now. The two-time All-American who has amassed 157 points and 105 draw controls in her 99-game career is rated the country?s seventh-best player by Inside Lacrosse after compiling 26 goals, 22 assists and 24 ground balls last season.
“She?s an outstanding midfielder,” second-year Terrapins coach Cathy Reese said. “She?s really strong on both ends of the field. She does a lot of the little things. She has great one-on-one moves and has excellent stick-handling skills. And defensively, she?s a very smart player.”
She?s also a player whose time is running out ? and she knows it. For Kasper and Maryland?s nine other seniors, there is no next year. After going 16-4 and losing to Pennsylvania in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament last season, the Terrapins appear to have their best chance to make a run at the school?s first national title since 2001 this spring.
“I think this year could be the best year for us, to possibly go all the way and do some good things,” she said. “I?m excited about it.”
But winning would be nothing new to Kasper, who capped a high school career in which she scored 223 goals by leading Century to a state title ? the Carroll County school?s first in any sport ? as a senior in 2004.
“Her competitive nature may have led her to do some things that other people may see as being very aggressive on the field, but she has always been competitive,” Century coach Rose Pentz said. “From back in high school, she had the drive and determination to be successful on the field, not only as an individual, but as a team player.”
That?s why she was named the Terrapins? captain along with fellow senior midfielder Dana Dobbie (53 goals, 16 assists) and defender Katie Pumphrey. Kasper will be counted on to lead an offense that also features senior attacker Casey Magor (33 goals, 13 assists), senior attacker Lauren Cohen (33 goals, 15 assists) and sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn McFadden (18 goals, 17 assists).
“We don?t have one person to watch for, but we?ll have seven solid attackers,” Kasper said. “You can?t watch all seven of us. We?ll all have to step up. I think we can do it.”
