Sept. 23, 2003

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Terrapin field hockey team is ranked third in the Sept. 23 edition of the STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Coaches Poll, which was announced Tuesday. The ACC dominates the weekly poll, occupying the top four spots, led by this weekend's opponent and defending national champion Wake Forest.

The Terps will be tested this weekend as they host No. 10 Princeton on Sept. 26 and the top-ranked team in the nation Wake Forest on Sept. 28. Maryland has opened the season with a 9-0 record and has allowed just four goals all season. The Tigers are 4-1, losing to No. 6 Penn State. The Deacons are also undefeated heading into the weekend at 7-0 and host second-ranked North Carolina before heading to College Park.

The top four spots in the national poll have not changed from a week ago. Maryland is ranked third, garnering 510 points, including two first-place votes. Wake Forest is the country's top team with 551 votes and 21 first-place votes. The Tar Heels received five first-place votes and 534 points. Duke is ranked fourth with 474 points. Rounding out the top five is the Big Ten's Michigan which the Terps defeated on Sept. 19, 4-2.

Other teams in the top 20 which are slated to face the Terps are No. 7 Old Dominion, No. 12 Virginia and No. 15 Delaware. Maryland claimed the first of two meetings this season with the Lady Monarchs by a score of 2-1 in Norfolk, Va., on Sept. 6. The second meeting is scheduled for Oct. 18 in College Park.

The Terps are coming of a weekend sweep, topping the Wolverines and Harvard (5-1). The top offense in the nation averaging 5.78 goals per game, the Terps are led by freshman defender Paula Infante (Santiago, Chile). Ranked second in the nation in points and goals, she leads Maryland and the ACC with 27 points and 11 goals. Maryland also boasts the top two assists leaders in the nation with sophomore Lauren Powley (Mountaintop, Pa.) leading the nation with 13 helpers followed by junior Emily Boyer (Oak Park, Ill.). Directing the third-ranked defense in the country (0.44 goals allowed per game), sophomore Tori Cano (Sea Cliff, N.Y.) is third with a 0.54 goals against average and is 18th with an .800 save percentage.

The Princeton-Maryland matchup on Friday, Sept. 26 begins at 6 p.m. at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. The Terps open conference action against the Demon Deacons on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m.

STX/NFHCA National Coaches Poll
Rank    Team (Record)           Points
1.      Wake Forest* (7-0)      551 (21)
2.      North Carolina* (8-0)   534 (5)
3.      MARYLAND (9-0)          510 (2)
4.      Duke* (5-1)             474
5.      Michigan (5-3)          420
6.      Penn State (6-1)        397
7.      Old Dominion (4-4)      385
8.      Michigan State (5-2)    380
9.      Iowa (5-2)              332
10.     Princeton (4-1)         310
11.     Connecticut (5-2)       248
12.     Virginia* (5-2)         219
13.     Northeastern (6-3)      204
14.     Louisville (4-3)        175
15.     Delaware (6-2)          161
16.     Richmond (6-1)          147
17.     California (3-0)        111
18.     Boston College (4-3)    83
19.     Indiana (4-1)           59
20.     Northwestern (4-3)      50

Also Receiving Votes: William & Mary (43), Hofstra (25), Boston University (20), American (14), Brown (9), Harvard (8), Providence (5), Lafayette (3), Ohio State (1), Temple (1), Towson (1).

* ACC opponent