VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Maryland forward Katie O'Donnell and her New Jersey High Performance Center squad claimed the 2009 USA Field Hockey National Championship on Saturday with a 4-1 win over the South HPC.

O'Donnell, who will be a junior with the defending national champion Terrapins this fall, scored three goals in the six-team, round-robin tournament.

Other current and former Terps to participate in the event included Maryland seniors Brianna Davies, Nicole Muracco and Alexis Pappas along with former Terps and current National Team players Lauren Powley, Dina Rizzo and Sara Silvetti. Those six Terps represented the Mid-Atlantic HPC, coached by Maryland assistant Tjerk van Herwaarden, and finished in third place.

Muracco posted five goals for the Mid-Atlantic team, including a pair in the third-place contest on Saturday. Rizzo also recorded three goals during the week.

Keli Smith, a National Team member and Maryland player from 1997-2000, suited up for the Pennsylvania/California HPC, which placed fifth.

In the spring, High Performance Centers serving the New England, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Midwest, South and California regions conducted open trials for college-age and older athletes. Once selected to a High Performance Center, athletes received elite-level training from some of the nation's top coaches over the course of the spring.

At the conclusion of the program, each High Performance Center selected a team to represent its region at the National Championships. Athletes competing in the tournament have the opportunity for selection to the U.S. National Squad. Rosters at the Championship included current U.S. National Team stars as well as recent college All-America selections.