Oct. 31, 2007

College PARK, Md. - Despite being only a freshman, Maryland field hockey player Katie O'Donnell was voted the ACC's Offensive Player of the Year, the league announced on Wednesday. She is the first-ever rookie to earn a player of the year recognition in the ACC. Three other Terps also garnered All-ACC nods, including Kathryn Masson, Susie Rowe and Janneke van Leeuwen.

"Katie is a true goal scorer and goal creator," said Maryland head coach Missy Meharg, who is in her 20th season. "She came to Maryland to be in a system which would highlight her natural flare around the goal. We are so proud of her."

Freshman Katie O'Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.) has been a big part of the Maryland offense, which ranks third in the nation in goals per game. The team's leader with 17 goals, 15 assists and 49 points, she leads the nation with a 2.72 points per game average and is second with a 0.94 goals per game average. The 0.83 assists per game she dishes out is ranked third in the country.

The only player in the league to earn multiple conference weekly recognitions, O'Donnell was the ACC's Player of the Week three times, also receiving national rookie of the week honors by www.womensfieldhockey.com four times. On Oct. 8, she was the publication's national player and rookie of the week.

"We are so proud of the women for being selected amongst an elite group of hockey players," added Meharg. "For Kathryn and Janneke, it is such a wonderful recognition at a vital junction as we head into postseason play. I must acknowledge the support these players have received by the rest of the Terps for the past three months."

Senior Kathryn Masson (Richmond, British Columbia) and junior Susie Rowe (London, England) were selected to the All-ACC squad for the second-straight year. Both were first team All-American selections last year. Masson is third in the nation with a 0.94 goals against average, helping the Terrapin backfield post a 0.88 GAA, which ranks third in the country.

Rowe is tied for second on the team with a career-high 13 goals and third with 31 points. A three-year starter, she is also ranked in the top 25 in the country in points per game (21st, 1.72) and goals per game (T19th, 0.72). She has anchored the backfield to record a 0.39 shutout average, which ranks seventh nationally.

Senior Janneke van Leeuwen (Hilversum, Netherlands) earns all-conference honors for the first time. The 2004 ACC Rookie of the Year, she was picked the ACC and the National Player of the Week on Oct. 15, after scoring a career-high three goals, while assisting on two more, in the 7-0 rout of Delaware. She is tied for second with Rowe with 13 goals, a career high and is second behind O'Donnell in assists (10) and 36, ranking in the top 20 in the nation in all three categories.

The Terps are headed north for the ACC Tournament, which is being hosted by Boston College. Ranked second in the nation, they are the second seed in the championship, earning a first-round bye. They play the winner of the #3 Wake Forest-#6 Duke first-round game, which will be played on Thursday night. Maryland plays its semifinal game on Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

2007 All-ACC
Julia Berkowitz, BC
Illse Davids, NC
Aileen Davis, WF
Rachel Dawson, NC
Marian Dickinson, DU
Bob Dirks, BC
Katelyn Falgowski, NC
Jesse Gey, NC
Minou Gimbrere, WF
Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn, VA
Michelle Kasold, WF
Kathryn Masson, MD
Katie O'Donnell, MD
Susie Rowe, MD
Laura Suchoski, DU
Janneke van Leeuwen, MD
Caitlin Williams, DU

Offensive Player of the Year:
Katie O'Donnell, MD

Defensive Player of the Year:
Rachel Dawson, NC

Coach of the Year:
Karen Shelton, NC

-TERPS-