July 19, 2001

By Shaili Shah, Maryland Media Relations

Soccer's all about timing. It's about finding the right time to break away from the defender, it's about finding the right time to leap off your feet to make a save. In Beckett Hollenbach's case, it's about finding the right time to enter the professional ranks.

The only remaining senior of his freshman recruiting class which originally consisted of nine players, Hollenbach has taken the road less traveled, by staying with Maryland's soccer program all four years, on track to earn a degree.

"Both my parents are teachers, so school is pretty important to me. Plus, I was battling injuries my sophomore year," Hollenbach said. "The timing wasn't right. By graduating, I will have more options."

Starting out by kicking around the ball on the London streets at age four, Hollenbach has climbed the soccer ranks to become a top defender on the competitive Division I collegiate level.

Capping off an outstanding high school career at Haverford High School in Pennsylvania highlighted by High School All-American and Pennsylvania Player of the Year honors, Hollenbach was also a three-year member of the U.S. Under-17 National Team.

"Playing for the national team was a great experience. It gave me a chance to compete on a high level against many who I play versus in college," Hollenbach said. "It was also an opportunity to be seen by scouts and get recruited."

Catching the eye of Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski, then the U-17 National Team's assistant coach, Hollenbach and his 1998 class of other All-Americans such as Danny Califf, Nick Downing and Taylor Twellman, were brought over to help Maryland soccer get back to its glory days.

"This fall would really be my fifth year coaching Beckett if you count our year with the national team," Cirovski said. "Beckett's a rarity. He has outstanding character and is such a hard worker. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to coach this kid."

Starting all 24 games his first year, Hollenbach's staunch defense helped lead the Terps to the semifinals at the NCAA tourney, their first trip to the Final Four since 1969. Earning Soccer America's All-Freshman team honors, Hollenbach was named team captain his sophomore season.

Upset by St. Johns in the first round of the NCAA tournament the following year, Maryland's defense still recorded a solid season, giving up only 0.89 goals per game. A second team All-ACC selection, Hollenbach shined in the classroom as well, recognized by the Maryland Athletic Department as the Student-Athlete of the Week for Oct. 25.

"I made him captain his second year because even at a young age, he was a great role model for his teammates," Cirovski said. "He is an honors student, a great person and has great work ethic. He was a quiet leader his first year, he led more by example."

A preseason candidate for all-conference and All-America honors, Hollenbach has learned to become a more vocal leader as the seasons have progressed, imposing his expectations and qualities on his teammates. However, Hollenbach's junior year was a frustrating experience as he led a team ridden with injuries along with co-captain Downing.

Ending the 2000 season at 10-9, the Terps missed making the NCAA tournament field, battling through seven season ending injuries.

"It was a demoralizing year because in the best of times we only had three substitutes. Guys would take the field praying that they don't go down," Hollenbach said. "Last season taught me that I can't take things for granted and that I just have to battle through the obstacles. It was a season of survival."

As the seasons have gone by, Hollenbach's recruiting class has been dwindling down. Califf and Twellman left at the conclusion of their sophomore year to play professional ball. The former signed a contract with the MLS' Los Angeles Galaxy while the latter went on to play in the German Bundesliga.

Even Downing has opted to forgo his final year of eligibility, leaving to pursue a career in MLS. Others have transferred schools and a few have left the program for personal reasons. Out of the nine players who joined him in '98, Hollenbach remains the only returning senior starter. Although goalie Kevin Schmidt was part of Hollenbach's class, he will have junior eligibility next year since he had to redshirt last season due to injury.

Grueling through tough summer workouts, Hollenbach is ready to bring to the field this fall, a stronger athlete, both physically and mentally.

"Strength conditioning in college has helped me with my game tremendously and I run more too," Hollenbach said. "Coach Cirovski has helped me with the mental aspect of sports. He has helped me see the game in my head, to read the game better so that it's easier to lead."

Cirovski is impressed with Hollenbach's development as an athlete and leader, a growth he has witnessed first hand.

"I truly believe that once players reach 17 or 18 years of age, they need mostly refinement on the technical aspect of the game," Cirovski said. "In Beckett's case, his biggest growth as a player has been his ability to be tactically savvy and to be mentally tough. Being prepared, more confident and having the ability to make those around you better, well that's a complete player."

Hollenbach's versatility as a defender will be his strongest asset if he decides to pursue professional soccer upon graduation, according to Cirovski.

"Beckett can play any position in the back. Not many European players can do that. He will probably make a run to play in Europe in January and if he decides to stay here, he will surely go high in the MLS draft. It's really a win-win situation for him."

Approaching the end of his college career, Hollenbach is enjoying his time at Maryland, majoring in finance.

"I am lucky because the team and my family have always been supportive of me. My brother-in-law Dan Bernstein drives down to catch all my games and my parents have never pushed me too hard along the way," Hollenbach said. "I am grateful for the academic and athletic opportunities I had here at Maryland and can't wait to kick off my senior year this fall."