Yesterday, the University of Maryland women’s lacrosse program may have found the best possible replacement for Jen Adams, who left her associate head coaching slot for the head coaching job at Loyola.

That replacement is Quinn Carney, who teamed with Adams on numerous occasions between 1998 and 2001, winning four NCAA championships.

Carney, with her ability to win draws to herself, a high and uncheckable cradle in the days before the offset stick, and amazing stick skills and vision, did a lot of the work in the attacking midfield during the Maryland dynasty and is one of the truly great all-around centers to have ever played in the NCAA.

I have been privileged to have seen Quinn in her scholastic days at Flemington Hunterdon Central (N.J.), especially the year she helped her team to the state final. But the thing was, that Hunterdon Central team was not just Quinn’s all-around game. This was no better demonstrated than on May 20, 1997, when Central defeated Collingswood (N.J.) 14-11 in the Round of 16.

That day, I saw perhaps the most dominating several minutes of scholastic lacrosse I have ever seen — better than Moorestown, West Genny, St. Stephen’s, Roland Park, or even Mount Hebron.

Central, falling behind 6-1 early, scored the first seven goals of the second half to take a 13-9 lead. On that day, all 11 outfield players were connecting and executing like a college team. No dropsies, good decisions, great looks. Carney, with a leg injury, was not her usual self, so it was up to her teammates to step up. Nine different players scored points in the game.

Carney’s teambuilding play continued. And for Maryland fans, it’s going to be great to see her back in College Park this coming season.