Pensky Welcomes Eight Newcomers For 2011 Season

FOR RECRUITS

Tweet

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland women's soccer head coach Brian Pensky welcomes eight newcomers to the Terrapin soccer program for the 2011 season. Six high school standouts signed National Letters of Intent to join the program in the fall, while two transfers arrived in College Park for the 2011 spring semester. "This is a unique freshmen class - collectively they have tremendous focus and professionalism that rivals any that we've had in my time at Maryland. They are coming into a team that is quite deep in talent - and with that, these freshmen will benefit from the olders players in terms of learning what it takes to be great. That education should be quick and smooth, as these kids are eager to get on board and learn right away. And then for us to pick up two talented mid-year transfers like Alex and Remi, is just icing on the cake," comments coach Pensky. Coming to College Park to don the red and black in the fall will be goalkeeper Rachelle Beanlands (Ottawa, Ontario), forward Alex Doody (Framingham, Mass.), back Amanda Gerlitz (Hollis, N.H.), forward Marisa Kresge (Severna Park, Md.), winger/back Shade Pratt (Rosemount, Minn.), and forward Cory Ryan (Norwood, Mass.). Back/midfielder Remi Kriz and forward Alex Reed are transfers that joined the Terps for the 2011 spring semester.

	Rachelle Beanlands Ottawa, Ontario • Goalkeeper Colonel By Secondary School Ottawa Fury A member of the Canadian National U-20 team … selected to the U-17 squad that competed in the World Cup … helped lead the U-17 team to a gold medal at the CONCACAF qualification tournament … also a National Training Center Ontario (NTCO) player … won gold (2008) and silver (2009) medals at the U-16 National Championships … led Colonel By Secondary to a high school city championship in 2009 … helped the Ottawa Fury to a gold medal at the USL North American Championships … named the 2010 Ottawa Soccer Athlete of the Year … also excelled in cross country, Nordic skiing and track and field … holds the Eastern Ontario Regional record for the 1500m steeplechase … chose Maryland over Ohio State, Vanderbilt and Penn. Personal: Daughter of Rob Beanlands and Geneviève Moineau-Beanlands … younger sister of Angela and Nolan. Why I chose Maryland: “I chose Maryland, first and foremost, for the coaching staff. They are passionate and caring, and the team is very motivated. The competition that Maryland faces in the ACC was also quite appealing, as well as the beautiful campus and residences. To top it all off, the academic opportunities at Maryland are of a high caliber and matched my educational needs.” Pensky on Beanlands: "Rachelle is a terrific goalkeeper, with a genuine want to be great. She is a bright young woman who takes her soccer and academics extremely seriously. Rachelle's transition into our team, and into our group of already-talented goalkeepers, will be seamless." Ottawa Fury W-League Head Coach and Technical Director, Dom Oliveri on Beanlands: "Rachelle is a player who will be a tremendous asset to Maryland's program. Rachelle brings a wealth of International experience, and our club is excited to see that Rachelle will attend such a well respected University."

	Alex Doody Framingham, Mass. • Forward Framingham HS F.C. Stars of Massachusetts A four-year letterwinner at Framingham High School for Coach Stacy Freda … member of the ESPN RISE Starting 11 Northeast … also listed among the ESPN RISE Fall State All-Stars … ranked No. 15 by TopDrawerSoccer.com in the Northeast region … two-time all-state selection … two-time Eastern Massachusetts All-Star … first team All-New England … four-year Bay State All-Star … MVP of the Carey Division of the Bay State Conference … helped lead F.C. Stars to two Region 1 championships and three state titles … competed in the USYS National Final Four … chose Maryland over Virginia, Florida State and Boston College. Personal: Daughter of Stephen and Donna Doody … younger sister of Chris and Eric. Why I chose Maryland: "I chose Maryland because I loved the campus, the energy of the University and the high caliber of soccer. The opportunity to study nutrition as a major was another important factor." Pensky on Doody: "Alex is a skillful, clever soccer player. I love the way she moves off the ball as a striker. We certainly expect Alex to flourish in this environment." Stars of Massachuessets Director of Coaching Jason Dewhurst on Doody: "Alex Doody is a proven goalscorer with great pace and is a tremendous finisher in front of goal."

	Amanda Gerlitz Hollis, N.H. • Back Hollis Brookline HS F.C. Stars of Massachusetts A four-year letterwinner at Hollis Brookline High School for Coach Craig Powers … member of the ESPN/RISE Starting 11 Northeast … also listed among the ESPN RISE Fall State All-Stars … ranked No. 10 by TopDrawerSoccer.com in the Northeast region … listed as the 36th best recruit in the nation by TDS.com … two-time all-state selection … two-time All-Region selection by the NSCAA … first team Division 1 all-state as a senior in 2010 … two-time Class I all-state … four-time Coaches MVP award winner … four-time Nashua Telegraph All-Star … … helped lead F.C. Stars to two Region 1 championships and two state titles … competed in the USYS National Final Four … member of the National Society of High School Scholars with a 3.3 GPA … chose Maryland over Virginia, South Carolina and Rutgers. Personal: Daughter of Kyle and Ann Gerlitz … younger sister of Aaron and Alexander. Why I chose Maryland: "I was really impressed with the soccer program and the coaching staff. Maryland is a fantastic school with a beautiful campus that is in a great location, close to Washington D.C." Pensky on Gerlitz: "Amanda is one of the top defenders on the east coast. She is tough as nails, and takes great pride in not being beaten. At the same time, Amanda has the skill and poise to be helpful in building the attack as well." Stars of Massachuessets Director of Coaching Jason Dewhurst on Gerlitz: "Amanda Gerlitz is a very versatile player with two great feet, pace and fantastic reading of the game."

	Marisa Kresge Severna Park, Md. • Forward Severna Park HS Freestate United A four-year letterwinner at Severna Park High School for Coach Todd Clarke … ESPN RISE Fall State All Star…2010 first team All-Met by the Washington Post … first team All-Metro by the Baltimore Sun … All-Region selection by the NSCAA … team captain as a senior … led all Anne Arundel County players in goals (18) and assists (10) as a senior … finished 12th in goals and 15th in assists in the Washington Post rankings … two-time member of the Maryland Olympic Development Program …Member of the USYS Region 1 ODP Team… helped lead Freestate United to the 2009 US Soccer Club Regional championship and the 2010 Region I Colonial League title … a four-time member of the Severna Park Honor Roll … inducted into the National Honors Society … chose Maryland over Navy, UNLV and American. Personal: Daughter of Jim and Susan Kresge. Why I chose Maryland: "After talking with the coaches and meeting the team I knew the University of Maryland was the right fit for me. Maryland is a great academic institution and has great athletic tradition. Competing in the ACC, the best conference in the country, will enable me to take my game to the next level." Pensky on Kresge: "Marisa is a quick, and technical player; and a tremendous striker of the ball.. She has a certain focus about her that will enable her to have a very good career here at Maryland." Freestate Soccer Club Director of Coaching Pat Noel on Kresge: "Marissa possesses two qualities that separate her from most. Her passion for the game is almost scary, as I haven't coached many who would prefer to be around the game (watching, training, or playing) than be anywhere else. Her love, in particular for Women's Soccer, should be the goal of all young girls. In addition, her overall desire, whether it's to improve or win, will be the catalyst in Marisa becoming a contributing member of one of college soccer's most competitive programs."

	Remi Kriz Eugene, Ore. • Back/Forward St. John’s College HS (Washington, D.C.) (Purdue) McLean Freedom A transfer from Purdue that played in 18 matches in 2009 with 11 starts to her credit … started the first 10 games of the Boilermakers’ season in the back before starting at forward in the first round of the NCAA tournament vs. Central Michigan … scored one goal and added an assist for three points … did not play during the 2010 season … played for Coach Collin Lennon at St. John’s College High School … was the 2008 Washington Post Player of the Year … a 2008 NSCAA All-American and a second team ESPN RISE All-American … helped lead the McLean Freedom to the 2006 U16 National Championship … member of the 2005 Maryland ODP team that won the national tournament …Member of the USYS ODP Region I team… participated in the 2006 ESP Adidas Camp. Personal: Daughter of Antonia Wolff … older sister of Carsten and Nico … married to Jared Kriz … maiden name is Remi Gibba. Why I chose Maryland: "Maryland was the perfect combination of location, soccer and academics. My family lives in Maryland; so being close to them again is great. Maryland’s reputation as a soccer program is outstanding and it has the potential to do great things. I also developed solid relationships with the coaches and the players." Pensky on Kriz: "Maryland was the perfect combination of location, soccer and academics. My family lives in Maryland; so being close to them again is great. Maryland’s reputation as a soccer program is outstanding and it has the potential to do great things. I also developed solid relationships with the coaches and the players."

	Shade Pratt Germantown, Md. • Winger/Back Rosemount HS (Minn.) Eden Prairie United A five-year letter-winner at Rosemount High School for Coach Kevin Adams … ranked No. 17 by TopDrawerSoccer.com in the Midwest region … two-time All-Metro selection … two-time all-state … three-time all-conference selection … led Rosemont in goals scored as a sophomore, junior and senior … 2010 winner of the Triple A award … chosen as the 2009 Excel Award winner … helped lead Eden Prairie United to back-to-back Minnesota State Cup finals … two-time MRL U16 Premiere Division champions … two-year member of the Minnesota Olympic Development Program …Two time member of the USYS ODP Region II team also competed in track and field … member of the National Honors Society and the National Honors Arts Society … chose Maryland over Wisconsin, Iowa and Denver. Personal: Daughter of James and Annie Pratt … younger sister of Beresford. Why I chose Maryland: "I truly loved the campus. When I asked myself, ‘Can I see myself here for four years?’ the answer was yes! I lived in Maryland before moving to Minnesota, which will make the transition much easier for me because Maryland is a home away from home. Out of all of the coaches I met during my decision process, Coach Pensky was the most enjoyable. I know coming into Maryland that there are many top-notch players and I will have to work hard for my time on the field. But that’s exactly what I want out of my college experience. I’m lucky that I will be able to play on a team full of girls that will challenge me daily and make me a better player." Pensky on Pratt: "Shade stands for exactly what we want in the recruiting process - kids who have only scratched the surface of how good they can become. Shade is quick; she is fast; and she is interested in being great. We are excited to see her development continue at Maryland. Although from MN, Shade lived in Maryland until the age of eleven - she, and we, are glad she's coming back home." Eden Prairie United (Eden Prairie, Minn.) Coach Julie Eibensteiner on Pratt: "Maryland is getting one of the best kept secrets in the country with Shade. She is a ferocious competitor with a motor that doesn’t quit along with being the most athletically gifted player I have had the opportunity to coach. She covers tons of ground in an immediate fashion and can play a number of roles in the flank very well. She will certainly give ACC opponents a problem to solve over the next four years as a Terp with her best years still in front of her."

	Alex Reed Fairfax Station, Va. • Forward South County HS (Loyola) McLean Dragons A transfer from Loyola College that played in all 20 games for the Greyhounds as a freshman … started 18 games … scored one goal and added four assists for six points … her lone goal was the game-winner in a 1-0 overtime victory over George Washington … finished the season with 47 shots … prior to college, she was a two-time all-state selection at South County High School … two-time Washington Post All-Met honoree … holds the school record for goals and assists … two-time All-Patriot District and Northern Region … led the McLean Dragons and USYS National League in scoring in 2008-09 … guided the team to two Region 1 Premiere League titles … three-time Virginia State Cup champions … helped the Dragons win the Las Vegas College Showcase and PDA College Showcase in 2008 … was a Super Y ODP National Camp selection in 2006 and a member of the Washington Freedom Super Y Team in 2007. Personal: Daughter of Christopher and Karla Ryan … younger sister of Logan … older sister of Brendan and Victoria. Pensky on Reed: "Alex was a nice surprise over the holiday break. She is a quick, speedy forward, who will fit into our team's style of play with ease. We are confident that Alex will thrive in our competitive environment."

	Cory Ryan Norwood, Mass. • Forward/Midfield Norwood HS Scorpions Soccer Club A four-year letterwinner at Norwood High School for Coach Kevin Aylett … member of the ESPN/RISE Starting 11 Northeast … also listed among the ESPN RISE Fall State All-Stars …ESPN RISE All American ranked No. 2 by TopDrawerSoccer.com in the Northeast region … listed as the 33rd best recruit in the nation by TDS.com … All-Region selection by the NSCAA … four-year first team Bay State League All-Star … two-time league MVP … four-time all-state … two-time first team All-Region … holds school records for career points and goals and single-season goals … finished her career with 75 goals and 26 assists … helped lead Norwood to its first two postseason bids … guided the Mustangs to the D1 South Sectional finals … two-time team MVP … team captain as a senior … two-time Boston Globe All-Scholastic … three time Boston Herald All-Scholastic … also lettered in basketball, indoor track and outdoor track … helped lead the Scorpions to three state championships and two Region 1 titles … a member of the Massachusetts Olympic Development Program from 2004-2008 … 2008 USYS ODP Region I team … chose Maryland over Boston College, Stanford and West Virginia. Personal: Daughter of Tom and Maryrita Ryan … younger sister of Shay, Tayla and Courtney … older sister of Jake. Why I chose Maryland: "I chose Maryland because I immediately fell in love with the campus. The academics at Maryland are great and the soccer program is one of the best in the country and Maryland plays in the most competitive conference in the nation." Pensky on Ryan: "Cory is one of the most under-rated players on the east coast, if not throughout the country. Her ability to get to goal off the dribble, or get end-line off the dribble, is special. We're very pleased that she's a Terp!" Scorpions Soccer Club (Braintree, Mass.) Coach Keith Caldwell on Ryan: "Cory has somehow flown under the radar the last couple of years but there is no doubt she is one of the top attackers in the United States. Her 1-v-1 ability is unbelievable. She has track star pace and she combines that with incredible control and balance. Cory is fantastic!"