Jan. 23, 2003

BERKELEY, Calif. - Maryland midfielder/defender Mallory Mahar (Medina, Ohio) was named a Freshman All-American by Soccer America on Thursday. Mahar had a sensational rookie season with the Terps as she scored five goals -- all on headers -- in leading Maryland to the second round of the NCAA Women's College Cup.

Mahar was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team as well as being named to the All-ACC Second Team. She was also named a finalst for Soccer Buzz's Freshman of the Year.

Teen sensation Lindsay Tarpley, who captained the United States to the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship and helped lead the University of North Carolina to the NCAA College Cup final four, was selected the nation's top freshman by Soccer America magazine.

Tarpley, equally adept up top or in midfield, led the Tar Heels in scoring and was their pivotal player in midfield down the stretch, excelling despite a nagging shin-splints injury. She was the Atlantic Coast Conference's Freshman of the Year, was selected to the College Cup's All-Tournament team, and earned a spot in the U.S. national team's pool as it prepares for next fall's Women's World Cup in China.

Tarpley was one of three players selected to Soccer America's 11-player Freshman All-America team from the U.S. under-19 squad, which toppled Canada in the championship match last September when the standout from Kalamazoo, Mich., scored the winner in overtime.

Arizona State's Manya Makoski and UCLA's Jill Oakes join Tarpley on the Soccer America freshman team. They are among four players from the powerful Pacific-10 Conference on the squad, joined by Arizona State striker Elizabeth Bogus and Stanford defender Hayley Hunt.

The ACC and West Coast Conferences each have two representatives. Tarpley is joined by Maryland midfielder/defender Mallory Mahar. The WCC contributed midfielder Lindsey Huie from NCAA champion Portland and defender Micaela Esquivel from NCAA runner-up Santa Clara.

Others selected were Connecticut forward Brittany Barakat, Charlotte striker Courtney Crandell, and Texas A&M goalkeeper Kati Jo Spisak.

SOCCER AMERICA WOMEN'S FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICA TEAM

Brittany Barakat (Connecticut)
Forward from Arlington, Texas
Diminutive Texan scored 12 goals, many of them critical, to prod Huskies to Big East title, NCAA quarterfinals.

Elizabeth Bogus (Arizona State)
Forward from Sandy, Utah
Pac-10's top freshman led surging Sun Devils with 10 goals -- seven gamewinners -- and three assists, leading path to NCAA Tournament.

Courtney Crandell (Charlotte)
Forward from Des Moines, Iowa
Conference USA's offensive MVP, first-team All-American netted 21 goals -- seven gamewinners -- with eight assists to lead 49ers to title, school-record 16 wins.

Micaela Esquivel (Santa Clara)
Defender/Midfielder from Albuquerque, N.M.
Revelation in midfield and at right back, scoring six goals and clinching NCAA title-game appearance with miracle goal-line stop in semifinal.

Lindsey Huie (Portland)
Midfielder from Mission Viejo, Calif.
Midfield magician returned from ACL tear to add critical dimensions for NCAA champs, contributing 17 points and earning WCC Freshman of the Year honors.

Hayley Hunt (Stanford)
Defender from San Marino, Calif.
Expert work in center of nation's best back line was key for No. 1 Cardinal, which shut out 19 foes in 21-1-1 campaign.

Mallory Mahar (Maryland)
Defender/Midfielder from Medina, Ohio
Big, physical defender provided backbone on back line and in midfield, scoring five goals -- all on headers -- as Terps reached NCAA second round.

Manya Makoski (Arizona State)
Midfielder from Trumbull, Conn.
Arrived from U-19 triumph to make things click in Sun Devil midfield, scoring six goals with school-record nine assists.

Jill Oakes (UCLA)
Midfielder from West Hills, Calif.
U.S. U-19 standout quickly asserted herself among nation's elite defensive midfielders, helping limit opponents to 13 goals as Bruins went 18-3-1.

Kati Jo Spisak (Texas A&M)
Goalkeeper from Manchester, Mo.
Sensational performance in NCAA Tournament triumph at UCLA capped All-Big 12 campaign marked by nine shutouts, 1.02 GAA.

Lindsay Tarpley (North Carolina)
Midfielder/Forward from Kalamazoo, Mich.
ACC's top rookie excelled up front, was even better as coordinating midfielder down the stretch, earning spot in U.S. national team pool.