As a junior at McDonogh, Casey Pepperman did not make the girls lacrosse varsity.
That stung, but it also motivated her, and Pepperman is now a pivotal component in one of the stingiest defenses in women's college lacrosse, starting for top-seeded Maryland as the Terps go for their second straight national championship. They face No. 2 seed North Carolina on Sunday night at PPL Park.
In 2010, a talented senior class at McDonogh left few openings for new varsity players, but that didn't make it easier on Pepperman.
"Obviously, my junior year was kind of heartbreaking, because I felt like I worked really hard," she said.