Four Field Hockey Players Earn STX/NFHCA All-America Honors
11/19/2001 7:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 19, 2001
The NCAA-finalist Maryland field hockey squad placed a national-leading four student-athletes on 2001 STX/NFHCA All-America teams. Seniors Autumn Welsh (Macungie, Pa.) and Dina Rizzo (Walpole, Mass.) were named to the first team for the first time in their careers, while Rachel Hiskins (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) and Carissa Messimer (Mountaintop, Pa.) were selected to the second team.
Prior to the announcement of the national All-Americans, seven Terrapins were also named to 2001 Mid-Atlantic All-Region teams. Welsh, Rizzo, Hiskins, Messimer and senior Caroline Walter (Reilingen, Germany) were honored as first team selections, while freshman Colleen Barbieri (Centereach, N.Y.) and junior Kateri Simon (Fallston, Md.) were named to the second team.
Welsh, the backbone of the NCAA-leading Maryland defense, is now a two-time All-American after a second team nod in 2000. The senior, who also ranked second in the nation with 16 assists on the season, is a candidate for the Honda Award, an annual honor given to the NCAA's "most outstanding player." Welsh looks to add that to a resume that includes ACC Co-Player of the Year, ACC Tournament MVP, NCAA All-Tournament and two ACC Player of the Week accolades, all from this season.
Rizzo put together a spectacular senior season to achieve first time All-America honors. She had been named to the all-region team twice before the 2001 season brought All-ACC, All-ACC Tournament and NCAA All-Tournament honors.
Hiskins, a second team All-American in 1999 and first team member in 2000, adds her third national citation to a 2001 All-ACC award.
Messimer was tabbed an All-American for the first time after all-region honors in 1999 and 2000. She was also a recipient of ACC All-Tournament accolades in 2001.
Walter, a two-time All-American in 1999 and 2000, adds the third all-region honor of her career in 2001. Playing with injury during much of the regular season, her tremendous effort during the NCAA Championship games merited an all-tournament award.
ACC Rookie of the Year Barbieri has been named conference player of the week twice while leading the Terps' nationally-top rated scoring offence in goals (17) and points (40).
Simon, who started and played in every game of the 2001 season for the first time in her career, was given her first all-region honor. One of the key components to Maryland's top-ranked defense, Simon also registered an assist this year.
Rizzo and Messimer's national honors make them the 29th and 30th Terps in history to be tabbed "All-American." In all, the Terrapins have received 57 All-America accolades since 1974.
Contact: Mark Fratto
301-314-8052 (Phone)
301-314-9094 (FAX)
301-314-TERP (FanFone)
fratto@wam.umd.edu
