Melissa Anderson Class: Senior Hometown: Annapolis, Md. High School: St. Mary's Height: 5-7 Position: Forward Major: Family Studies

Pensky's Take
"Mel feels as mentally and physically healthy as she has since her freshman year.I am excited for her to have this opportunity to finish off her career in the right way."

On Anderson: Returns to action after missing the last two seasons with separate ACL injuries ... has made tremendous strides in her rehabilitation ... was a pleasant surprise during spring workouts and scrimmages ... will provide depth at outside midfield ... a very intense player ... explosive off her first few touches ... has an ability to get behind the defense ... versatile player who can also play up front.

As a junior (2003): Sat out the entire season after suffering a torn ACL in preseason training.

As a sophomore (2002): Came off the bench to play 227 minutes in 14 of first 15 games ... scored first two collegiate goals ... suffered a concussion at Clemson (10/20) which forced her to miss the remainder of the season ... notched second goal in win over George Washington (9/22) ... scored first collegiate goal vs. Fordham (8/30) ... named to the Maryland Honor Roll.

As a freshman (2001): Played in all 19 games during her first collegiate season ... played 601 minutes ... drew starting nod at forward in collegiate debut vs. Towson (8/31) ... first college point came vs. Loyola (9/30) as she assisted Courtney Beirne's late goal.

Before Maryland: A star forward at St. Mary's High School in Annapolis, Md. ... finished decorated career with a standout senior season in which she was named Anne Arundel County Player of the Year, Baltimore Sun All-Metro, All-Maryland, All-South, All-County and all-league ... scored 14 goals and added 13 assists for 41 points as a senior ... as a senior co-captain, Anderson helped the Saints to an 18-2 record and Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland's A Conference championship ... named team MVP ... named All-State, All-County and all-league as a junior ... played club soccer for the Bethesda Falcons, the Maryland state champions, from 1993-2000 ... member of Maryland ODP from 1994-2000 ... also played for the USYSA Region I ODP team since 1997 ... also played softball and basketball.

Personal: Daughter of Jennifer Ingle and Samuel Anderson ... sister of Kristin (20), Elizabeth (19) and John (12) ... committed to Maryland by presenting former coach Shannon Higgins-Cirovski with a cake decorated in red and white with a Terrapin turtle featuring the word "yes" coming out of its mouth ... majoring in family studies.