Sept. 8, 2009

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Junior Katie O'Donnell 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' three games in the week beginning Aug. 31.

O'Donnell, a native of Blue Bell, Pa., helped the Terrapins to a 3-0 record during the week and a 5-0 record on the year. For the week, she led the Terrapins in goals (6), assists (4) and points (16).

"What a fitting week for this ACC recognition. Numbers directly affect the outcome and Katie O'Donnell enjoys that fact. Katie has been working hard individually with technical coach Tjerk van Herwaarden on goal scoring," Maryland head coach Missy Meharg said.

On Aug. 31, the Terps won the Wildcat Classic tournament by defeating tournament host Northwestern 7-2. O'Donnell contributed one goal and two assists to the campaign. On Friday at Old Dominion, O'Donnell had her first hat trick of the season and added an assist in the 6-3 win. In the home opener Sunday against No. 19 Michigan, she had two goals and one assist in the Terrapins' 4-1 win.

She currently leads the Terps with seven goals, seven assists and 21 points on the year. In 2008, she earned the conference's Offensive Player of the Year award.

O'Donnell and Maryland will host the Terrapin Invitational this weekend, with Penn State, American and Towson all heading to College Park to compete.