Sept. 15, 2009

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Senior Nicole Muracco of the top-ranked Maryland field hockey team earned the Atlantic Coast Conference's Field Hockey Player of the Week award the league announced Tuesday. She won the award for her impressive performance in the Terps' two games in the week beginning Sept. 6.

Muracco, a native of Sewell, N.J., helped the Terrapins to a 2-0 record during the week and a 7-0 record on the year. For the week, she led the Terrapins in goals with five and was second in points with ten. In both of Maryland's games, Muracco scored early to help set the tempo.

"The coaching staff is excited for Nicole with this well-deserved recognition," Maryland head coach Missy Meharg said. "Her goal-scoring in the opening minutes of the games helped establish Maryland's game-control this weekend."

On Sept. 12, the Terps defeated No. 13 Penn State 8-1. Muracco added two goals in the winning campaign. On Sunday, Sept. 13 against Towson, Muracco had her second hat trick of the season, the first came against Northwestern on Aug. 21, in the 10-1 win. For the week of Sept. 6, her shots on goal percentage was .875.

She currently leads the Terrapins in shot percentage (.429). Muracco leads the team in goals for the year with nine and is third in points with 18.

Maryland is currently ranked No. 1 in the Kooksbura/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll. Muracco and the rest of the Lady Terps will open ACC play this weekend at No. 10 Boston College on Saturday afternoon. The Terrapins will return home to play California Monday at 3 p.m.