Nov. 21, 2008

TopDrawerSoccer.com Official Release <="">

LONG BEACH, Cal. - Maryland freshman midfielder Matt Kassel has been tagged TopDrawerSoccer.com Rookie of the Season, as announced by the website Friday.

Kassel, a native of Bridgewater, N.J., has tallied seven assists in 19 starts for the 18-3-0 Terps in addition to notching the game-winning goal against Binghamton Sept. 30. Beyond the stats, according to the website, Kassel `established himself as a high-quality distributor from the middle of the park, both on set pieces and the run of play'.

Maryland, which captured its third ACC Championship last Sunday and secured a No. 2 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, is credited with four additional players on the list. Junior midfielder and 2008 ACC Tournament MVP Jeremy Hall was a first-team selection while fellow classmate Omar Gonzalez landed on the second team. Kassel was joined by keeper Zac MacMath and forward Casey Townsend as First Team All-Rookie awardees.

The Terps, who earned a first-round bye, will battle either George Mason or Penn on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. at Ludwig Field in College Park.