It didn’t take rookie Caroline Steele long to get involved.
The Terrapins women’s lacrosse midfielder scored the first goal of her college career less than four minutes into the regular season. But she did it a nontraditional way.
After receiving a pass from defender Nadine Hadnagy, Steele cut toward the net before taking a behind-the-back shot. The highlight-reel goal punctuated a day of firsts for the freshman, who included her first start, shot and draw-control victory.
Steele, like many others on coach Cathy Reese’s roster, is used to success following a productive high school career.
To start what became a record-breaking senior season at Severn, Steele scored 10 goals. On Senior Day, she set a single-game record by scoring 11.
A two-time All-Metro midfielder, Steele ended her time at Severn by setting school records for goals in a single season and career. She scored 94 times in 2015 and 239 times over her four years.
When Steele decided to play for Reese’s squad, she was unsure if she would have an opportunity to compete for a starting job as a freshman. But that’s not what she was thinking about.
“I’m just honored to have a spot on the team,” Steele said after the Terps’ 19-7 victory over William & Mary on Feb. 14. “It’s really awesome.”
As a starter in the first two games of the season for the
No. 1 Terps, Steele has consistently contributed to an offense that’s tallied 37 scores.
In her debut, Steele scored twice and secured a draw control. Then Saturday against the Hoyas, she notched a hat trick while recording four ground balls and winning another draw control.
It isn’t the early success Steele is having that has impressed Reese, though. The 10th-year coach is pleased with Steele’s ability to put other attackers and midfielders in positions to score.
“It’s great because we have her coming from the left side,” Reese said. “To be a left-handed attacker over in that area, she’s really creating a lot of opportunities for herself and for her teammates.”
Steele’s ability to contribute offensively so early in her career hasn’t surprised midfielder Zoe Stukenberg. She said this year’s freshman class, ranked No. 2 in the country by Inside Lacrosse, has a distinct characteristic.
“Caroline and some of our other young players, they’re not shy about taking it to the house,” Stukenberg said. “Obviously, we lost a lot on offense. It’s great to have attackers step in and fill that void.”
The Terps offense graduated multiple top scorers after last season, including midfielder Kelly McPartland and attacker Brooke Griffin. Stukenberg said the upperclassmen have made it a goal to ensure Steele and other young players have the confidence to produce consistently.
“We don’t expect anyone to play differently because you’re [midfielder] Taylor Cummings or because you’re Caroline Steele,” Stukenberg said. “We want to instill that confidence so that younger players have success week after week.”
As the Terps prepare to face No. 5 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Steele likely will be in the starting lineup again. And Reese isn’t expecting different results.
“She’s done a tremendous job,” Reese said. “We’re only two games in, but it’s coming along nicely.”
