As a young field hockey player, Jill Witmer didn’t dream of playing in the Hockey World Cup. Instead, the former Terrapins field hockey forward never looked too far ahead.

Yet when Witmer’s career with the Terps came to end this past season, representing the United States at the World Cup became a dream. And shortly thereafter, it became a reality.

Witmer joined former Terp Katie O’Donnell on the U.S. team for the Rabobank Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands, which lasted from May 31 until June 15. The Americans finished fourth.

“At the World Cup the whole atmosphere there was a lot different,” Witmer said. “The fans were just crazy. It just gave you more energy for the games.”

Witmer’s first World Cup game against England was a nerve-wracking one.

“I had never played in front of that many people,” Witmer said.

But over the course of the game, Witmer’s nerves settled, and the U.S. went on to upset England, 2-1.

An important factor in Witmer settling into her new team was O’Donnell’s familiar face. The two competed together during Witmer’s freshman season in 2010, and O’Donnell helped ease Witmer’s transition from high school to the college level.

“It was really good to have Katie there,” Witmer said. “She has played a big part in my hockey career.”

O’Donnell also played a significant role in the United States’ run in the World Cup this year. The former Terps forward scored three goals for the U.S., tied for second most on the team.

While Witmer didn’t score during the tournament, she played in every match and recorded two shots. The Lancaster, Pennsylvania native said her time in College Park helped prepare her for international-level play, in which the game features a much faster pace.

“The competition was a lot better too,” she said. “We were playing a lot of high-ranked teams.”

The experience Witmer gained in international competition stems beyond the play. Witmer, who previously played with the national team at the Pan American Games last year in Rio de Janeiro, said her favorite part was all the different food.

“In Brazil, the fruit was so fresh,” Witmer said. “It was probably the best fruit I have ever tasted. It is just awesome getting to experience all of these different places.”

In the Netherlands — a country Witmer never dreamed her passion would take her — she enjoyed the sights and atmosphere. The pinnacle of her trip came in Amsterdam, where the canals were stunning, she said.

Witmer never would’ve seen the breathtaking sights abroad if she hadn’t made the decision to forgo her spring semester to train with the national team.

After weighing her options with the help of Terps coach Missy Meharg, Witmer decided she wanted to take a chance on making the World Cup team. She was anxious to compete again after Duke ended her Terps career with a 3-2 defeat in the NCAA semifinals on Nov. 22.

“I kind of just wanted to forget about that and start something new,” Witmer said.

With the World Cup over, though, Witmer will return to this university in the fall to finish her degree. But beyond that, Witmer still maintains the mindset she has had growing up, so she’s not too concerned with what her future holds.

“I kind of just take one day at a time,” Witmer said.