April 15, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland women's water polo team will serve as host to the 2009 CWPA Southern Division Championship, which takes place Saturday at the Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium. The Terps' second game will be played on Senior Game Night, to celebrate careers of the eight players in the Class of 2009.
The Terps (12-12, 5-1 CWPA South) earned the top seed in the division for the first time in the six-year history of the program with their 11-9 win over Princeton in the regular-season finale. They will kick off the tournament at 10 a.m. against fourth-seeded George Washington (5-20, 0-6), who they defeated twice this season.
Maryland seeks to repeat the results from its last division tournament played in friendly waters. They defeated Bucknell and Princeton en route to their first and only CWPA Southern Division Championship at Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium in 2007.
The other semifinal game will start at 11:30 a.m., pitting second-seeded Bucknell vs. No. 3 seed Princeton. The championship game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. that night. There will also be a consolation game at 4:30 p.m.
The Terrapins were led by strong play from their senior class and one stellar freshman.
Maryland's all-time points leader, Elizabeth Hopkins added 47 to that total this season and has 252 in her career. Rachel Jordan could become the first Terp to score 200 goals, as she hit the back of the net for the 197th time against Princeton. Co-captain Blaise Stanicic tallied 29 assists in 24 games this season - second only to her 44 in 37 games last year - giving her 110 for her career.
Ashleigh Jobson stifled 174 shots on goal this season to set a new career record with 653, smashing Marissa Corwin's previous total of 543.
Freshman Elina Goldenberg has made waves all season. She won CWPA South Rookie of the Week twice (Feb. 16 & March 30) and CWPA South Player of the Week once (March 2) en route to leading the team in goals (44), points (60), and kickouts drawn (34).
The Terrapins also received solid contributions from Christen Vagts, who started all 24 games at center defender, and the squad's lone junior, Shannon Simerly, who had 23 goals and 25 steals.
