Nov. 19, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Four Maryland field hockey players earned All-American honors, including three first team honorees, which was announced today by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. Among the list of honorees are Kathryn Masson, Katie O'Donnell and Susie Rowe, who were named to the first team, and Janneke van Leeuwen, a second selection.

The four honorees ups the all-time tally to 82 All-American selections for Maryland, 74 coming under 20-year head coach Missy Meharg. The team has also had at least three honorees since 1991. No other team in the country received three first team All-Americans selections.

"With Maryland having three first team All-Americans makes a great statement about the quality and talent of our team," said Meharg. "For Kathryn to repeat a first teamer as a goaltender is a phenomenal feat. She has been a huge part of our success. It is also very fitting for Janneke to earn All-American honors for the first time as a senior. It really caps a wonderful career she has had at Maryland. Susie is a stellar player and we are proud of her recognition, as well. We are also very pleased for Katie. As s freshman, to be recognized by committee, is a big accomplishment."

Freshman Katie O'Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.) wraps up a very impressive rookie campaign with first-team honors. She earned numerous postseason accolades, including ACC Offensive Player of the Year nods. She was a first team Mid-Atlantic All-Region pick and an All-ACC honoree. She led the nation with 2.52 points per game, ranking third nationally with a 0.86 goals per game average and fourth with a 0.81 assist per game average.

Senior Kathryn Masson (Richmond, British Columbia) became the first Terrapin goalkeeper to earn first team All-American honors last season. A three-time All-American, garnering third team nods as a sophomore, she was fourth in the nation with a 0.97 goals against average this year and finishes her career with the second-best GAA in school history at 0.94, just 0.03 off the school record. Masson was an All-ACC selection this season, as well.

Junior Susie Rowe (London, England) was named to the first team for the second-straight year. A defender, she scored a career-high 14 goals, which tied for second on the team, and had a career-high 34 points, the third-most on the squad. She also helped the Terrapins post a 0.90 goals against average, which ranked third in the nation. Rowe was also named to the All-ACC squad earlier this season.

Also an All-ACC pick at the conclusion of the regular season, senior Janneke van Leeuwen (Hilversum, Netherlands) had a career year this season, recording a career-high 13 goals, which ranked third on the team, and had 10 assists, second on the squad. She ranked in the top 20 in the nation in points per game (1.71), while also ranking in the top 50 in goals per game (0.62) and assists per game (0.48). Van Leeuwen ends her career ranked in a tie for fourth all-time at Maryland with 49 career assists.

The Terrapins ended the season ranked third in the nation, posting an 18-3 record. Maryland also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 13th-consecutive year.

-TERPS-