Oct. 21, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -

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As the postseason draws near, a pivotal ACC clash featuring third-ranked Maryland field hockey and No. 4-ranked North Carolina takes place Sunday, Oct. 23 in Chapel Hill, N.C. It is the final regular season conference game for both teams. The contest also features the top two goalkeepers in the nation in Maryland's Kathryn Masson and UNC's Katy Tran.

As the postseason picture begins to take shape, Maryland (15-2, 3-1 ACC) looks to clinch the No. 2 spot in the ACC standings when it travels UNC, while the Tar Heels (12-3, 2-2 ACC) are looking to improve as they currently stand in a tie for third.

The game pits the nation's top two goalkeepers. The Terrapins' Masson (Richmond, British Columbia) boasts an 0.76 goals against average. UNC's Tran is the only keeper in the country with a better goals against average at 0.67. Both also boast one of the top three save percentages in the nation, with Tran slightly better at .831, while Masson is sporting an 0.826 percentage.

Maryland also claims a top-five defense and a top-15 offense. Leading the way on the offensive end is senior Tiffany Marsh (Marathon, N.Y.). She has collected a team-best 36 points, dishing out 14 assists on the season, while scoring 11 goals. Classmate Jackie Ciconte has tallied a team-high 14 goals, just three away from her personal best.

North Carolina does not have any players who have scored in double figures, but 12 Tar Heels have scored at least a goal this season. Rachel Dawson leads the way with eight goals and 22 points. Teammate Heather Kendell is tied with Dawson with 22 points, but has a team-high eight assists.

UNC leads the all-time series, 30-16, however, it has been a tightly-contested series. Five of the last six meetings have been one-goal decisions while four of those have been decided in overtime.

-TERPS-