“Quinn is not only one of the top women?s lacrosse players in the world, but she also understands the X?s and O?s and can adjust in the game accordingly,” Connor said.

Prior to coaching at California, Carney served as an assistant coach at Stanford University for three seasons under another Maryland graduate and Pikesville native, Michele Uhlfelder.

Carney, a native of Flemington, N.J., led the Terrapins to four national titles before graduating in 2001.

She has also played for the U.S. National Team since 1997. Carney helped the Americans win the World Cup in 2001 before the team took the silver medal in 2005.

Connor also stayed close to home when she completed her staff by hiring Kelly Berger, a former standout at Hammond High in Columbia.

Berger graduated from James Madison University this past spring, finishing her career with 184 goals and 78 assists.

“Kelly brings a lot of youth and fire to the job,” Connor said. “She has a lot of knowledge about the game and will do a great job relating to the players.”

Connor said she hopes the additions of Quinn and Berger will help her team rebound from a disappointing 7-10 season. The Retrievers went 10-8 and reached the America East title game in 2006.

“Every year you set goals for yourself,” Connor said. “We had a great fall season going into the spring, but we got off course early and never really regrouped. We learned from that year and I think we will come back stronger this year”

UMBC NOTES

» Carney was a two-time All-American and Academic All-American and a three-time All-ACC selection. She currently ranks in the Terps? top five in career goals (162), assists (110) and points (272).

» Berger graduated high school as Hammond?s all-time leading scorer. Her brother, Stephen, was a three-time Division III All-American at Washington College. He now plays for the Major League Lacrosse’s Long Island Lizards, and played in the league?s all-star game earlier this month.