The best freshman performers in Maryland’s early fall sports season

Maryland athletics has started off the 2017 fall season strong. Across all sports, the Terps are 17-2-1. There have been several standout stars in each sport that have made their mark thus far, from poised veterans to newcomers.

Each team has seen quality play from its freshman class to some degree. Here are some of the newcomers that have had the biggest impact in their respective sports so far in the fall season.

Football: Quarterback Kasim Hill

While Hill only played for a quarter and change after starting quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome injured his leg on a quarterback scramble, he showed why he was the 2017 Washington, D.C., Gatorade Player of the Year.

Hill was a perfect 3-for-3 with 44 yards passing, including an important 40-yard completion to DJ Moore late in the fourth quarter. He also rushed for 18 yards, including a rushing touchdown in the fourth to put Maryland up 44-34 over Texas.

With Pigrome out for the season, Hill looks like the Terps’ quarterback of the present as well as the future.

Men’s Soccer: Forward Eric Matzelevich

The forward from Washington, D.C., has shined for the Terps in their first four games of the season, tallying two goals. He is third on the team with seven shots and tied for second on the team with four shots on goal. He’s also tied for second on Maryland with four points on the season. While only playing 167 minutes so far, he has become a super-sub for Maryland and should continue to produce in conference play.

Women’s Soccer: Forward Mikayla Dayes

The freshman from Ontario is currently leading the Terps in goals, assists, points, shots, and shots on goal. Dayes has three goals and two assists so far, with eight points overall. She has become one of the main factors for the Terps’ success so far this season, as they are currently 5-0-1, already eclipsing their wins total from last season. She left with an injury against Richmond and didn’t play against George Mason, but Maryland expects her back soon.

Volleyball: Outside Hitter Erika Pritchard

Pritchard leads the Terps in serving aces, kills and kills per set, and has the team’s third-lowest percentage of errors over total attempts (min. 90 attempts). Pritchard has started in every game and every set Maryland has played in. She has become one of the leaders on a Terps team that is 6-0 entering play this weekend.

Field Hockey: D Hannah Bond, M Brooke DeBerdine, D Sophia Giezeman and M Kyler Greenwalt

The four freshman have started in all three of Maryland’s games so far this season. While the Terps have gotten off to a 1-2 record, head coach Missy Meharg has shown a lot of confidence in these four. The freshmen have combined for just four shots, only one of which being on goal, but their presence in the midfield and defensive areas of the field have made a big difference for the Terps.

This new-look team is going to continue to rely on the quartet to carry the load that experienced veterans like Welma Luus, Grace Balsdon and Courtney Deena did last season.