Jan. 31, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland field hockey player Jackie Ciconte was voted her home state of Delaware's 2005 Athlete of the Year, which was announced this past weekend at the 57th annual Delaware Sports Writers and Broadcasters Association Banquet. Ciconte scored the game-winning goal in the NCAA Tournament title game, as the Terps claimed the 2005 NCAA title.

A native of Wilmington, Del. and a high school graduate of the Tatnall School, Ciconte is only the fifth female recipient of the award. Other candidates considered for the award were Jeremy Rose, who rode Afleet Alex; Elena DelleDonne, a standout high school basketball player at Ursuline Academy; Princeton field hockey player Maren Ford, also a graduate of Cape Henlopen High in Delaware; Miami defensive tackle Orien Harris, a Newark High graduate; Tiara Malcm, Colonial Athletic Association women's basketball player of the year from the University of Delaware; Kevin Mench of the Texas Rangers; and Dave Williams, a pitcher for the Pirates and now with the Cincinnati Reds.

Playing in her final season as a Terp, Ciconte earned All-American honors for the second time in her career in 2005. She led the team with a career-best 20 goals, tying for the fifth-most by a Terrapin in school history. She ranked in the top five in the nation in goals and goals per game (1.25). Ciconte was named to the All-NCAA Tournament team for the first time in her career, tallying the decisive goal in the semifinal and championship games.

Ciconte also helped the Terps capture the 2005 ACC Championship crown and a No. 1 final national ranking. The Terps were 23-2 on the season, the program's fifth 20-win season. Maryland reached the NCAA Tournament national semifinals for the third-consecutive year.

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