Nov. 8, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The top-ranked Maryland field hockey team earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament which begins Saturday, Nov. 12. The Terps play Richmond in the first round at 11 a.m. at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex, while also hosting American and Penn State at 2 p.m. The winners of both games move on to the second round on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.

"We are honored to be No. 1 and are looking forward to playing other teams from other conferences. They are very formidable teams," said Maryland head coach Missy Meharg, who captured her 300th-career victory in the championship game of the ACC Tournament last weekend. "I think the NCAA did a good job with the selections and we are pleased with our placement and pleased with being at home."

The Terps are (19-2) on the season, coming off an exciting 3-2 victory over Wake Forest last weekend to capture the ACC title. Atlantic 10 Champion Richmond (16-5) won the play-in game, earning a spot in the tournament. The Spiders are ranked 19th in the nation.

No. 6 American (19-1) captured its third-consecutive Patriot League title and the league's automatic bid. Eight-ranked Penn State (17-3) earned an at-large bid into the tournament. The Nittany Lions captured the Big Ten regular season crown.

The ACC had the most number of teams selected into the NCAA Tournament. Wake Forest and Duke earned the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, respectively, while North Carolina and league-newcomer Boston College also earned at-large bids. The Big Ten had the second-most selections with four.

Maryland will be making its 18th NCAA Tournament appearance and 19th national tournament appearance overall (AIAW in 1979). The Terps host the first and second rounds for the third-consecutive year and for the 12th time in 14 years.

Tickets for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Md., are $5 for adults and $3 for students, children and seniors. Ticket booths will open one hour prior to the first game on each day. Advanced ticket purchases can be made at www.umterps.com or at the Comcast Center ticket office beginning on Thursday.

For more information and to follow all of the field hockey action at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex, log onto www.umterps.com.

2005 NCAA Field Hockey Tournament First & Second Rounds
College Park, Maryland
Saturday, Nov. 12 • First Round
#1 Maryland (19-2) vs. Richmond (16-5) • 11 a.m. Penn State (17-3) vs. American (19-1) • 2 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 13 • Second Round
Saturday winners • 2 p.m.

-TERPS-