Second-Seeded Terrapins Host NCAA First and Second Rounds

Nov. 10, 2001

Complete 2001 NCAA First and Second Round Notes in PDF Format
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Four conference champions meet this weekend for a chance to advance to Kent, Ohio, as Maryland hosts the First and Second Rounds of the 2001 NCAA Championship Tournament. The ACC champion Terps square off against Patriot League winner Fairfield at 11 a.m. on Saturday, with NorPac titleholder Cal taking on BIG EAST champ Syracuse at 2 p.m. The winners battle on Sunday at 2 p.m. for a trip to the Midwest and a chance to capture the national championship.

The Terrapins, currently ranked first in the NFHCA Coaches Poll, were seeded second by the NCAA and granted a home site for the first and second rounds of the tournament two days after capturing their fourth-consecutive ACC title. Maryland's Honda Award hopeful Autumn Welsh (Macungie, Pa.) keyed a tremendous defensive effort at the 19th annual conference championships in Chapel Hill, and came away with 2001 ACC Tournament MVP honors. Senior Caroline Walter (Reilingen, Germany) and junior Carissa Messimer (Mountaintop, Pa.) were also recipients of all-tournament accolades.

Welsh and Walter joined head coach Missy Meharg and two other teammates among the six Terrapins to receive 2001 All-ACC honors. Senior midfielders Dina Rizzo (Walpole, Mass.) and Rachel Hiskins (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) were also selected to the all-conference team, while Welsh was named Co-Player of the Year and Meharg Coach of the Year for the fourth time in her career. Freshman Colleen Barbieri (Centereach, N.Y.), who ranks first on the team and eighth in the nation in scoring, captured ACC Rookie of the Year honors.

Maryland enters the national tournament on a six-match win streak. The Terps bounced back from a 1-0 OT loss to Old Dominion to beat UNC in extra time on Oct. 21, before downing Delaware (4-1 on Oct. 24), James Madison (5-0 on Oct. 26), Drexel (6-0 on Oct. 28) and Virginia, 4-1, in the semifinal round of the ACCs. Messimer scored a pair and Rizzo netted the game-winner against Wake as the Terps claimed their fifth ACC title in school history.

Terps, Welcome Back To Bracketville

The Terrapins are making their seventh consecutive NCAA Championships appearance and 14th overall in 2001. The Terps have reached the second round 11 times, the semifinal six times (1987, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1999, and 2000), and the championship game four times (1987, 1993, 1995, 1999).

Second-Seeded Terrapins Host NCAA First and Second Rounds

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