Last year, Travis Reed found himself immersed in the old cliche of a "sophomore slump." But the Cockeysville native and Boys' Latin graduate contends that his regression was more injury-related than production-induced.
Reed, a junior attackman for No. 7 Maryland, underwent surgery on his left knee prior to his sophomore season. His attempt to return eventually earned him shin splints in his right leg.
"I didn't really come back until the winter, so I was getting back into shape," he recalled. "And because of the injury, I was favoring my other leg, and I got shin splints in that leg. So it was a combination of a bunch of different things. ... It definitely kept me from doing some things that I would have liked to do."
A year later, Reed said his knee is healthy and giving him the mobility he needs. "Everything's good," he said. "I feel great. I'm real excited to finally be healthy. So I should be good."
A healthy and productive Reed could be a boost for a Terps offense already headlined by an attack unit that includes juniors Grant Catalino and Ryan Young, senior Will Yeatman and sophomore Joe Cummings.
Reed recorded 16 goals and seven assists last spring after compiling 20 goals and 11 assists as a freshman. Reed said he anticipates posting numbers similar to his first year at the collegiate level.
"I think I'm right there," he said. "I think this is the year when I'm ready to come back out and show everybody what I've got."