Infante Voted National Field Hockey Player of the Year
12/14/2005 7:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Dec. 14, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland field hockey standout Paula Infante was voted the nation's most outstanding player and will receive the Honda Award, according to results of national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards program, now in its 30th year. She becomes the second player in school history to earn the honor.
The Honda Award is given annually to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports. Sport winners are automatically nominated for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. The Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year will be determined by separate balloting involving all NCAA-member institutions and the winner will receive the Honda-Broderick Cup in New York in late June 2006.
A junior midfield/defender, Infante (Santiago, Chile) led the Terps to a No. 1 national ranking and the program's fourth NCAA title in November and their first in six years. A three-time first team All-American by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, she is the first player in school history to be named to the NCAA Tournament All-Tournament team three times.
Infante also helped Maryland capture the 2005 ACC crown. A three-time All-ACC honoree, as well, she was this season's ACC Defensive Player of the Year, while also being the team's second leading goal scorer with 13 goals, including five game winners. A key member of the Terrapin defense, the backfield ranked second in the nation with a 1.01 goals against average.
The three other nominees for the field hockey Honda Award were Kayla Bashore from Indiana, Jessica Javelet from Louisville and Duke's Hilary Linton.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., sponsors the Collegiate Women Sports Award.
Maryland's only other Honda Sports Award winner in field hockey was Autumn Welsh. A two-time All-American, she earned the award in 2002.
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