Feb. 8, 2010

BRIDEGEPORT, Pa. - Maryland swept the weekly College Water Polo Association (CWPA) awards after winning its final three games in last weekend's Triton Invitational.

Senior attacker Shannon Simerly was named the CWPA Southern Division Player of the Week and goalie Rachel Stein was tabbed the rookie of the week. The league office made the announcement Monday.

Simerly scored 10 goals, including four in Saturday's season-opening 13-7 victory over Sonoma State University. The team captain also powered the Terps (3-1) to a pair of victories Sunday, posting two goals in a 14-5 win over Pomona-Pitzer and two in an 11-7 come-from-behind triumph over Long Beach State.

Along with scoring double-digit goals in each of the four games of the two-day tournament, the Terps received some solid goaltending.

Splitting time in net with veteran Shelby Reyes, Stein was impressive in her first collegiate action. She made 11 saves and allowed 11 goals in the four games, while playing quite a bit during crunch time.

Stein posted three blocks and surrendered just two goals in the second half of the Long Beach State contest, helping the Terps (3-1) erase a 7-5 deficit.

The Terps finished ninth in the 16-team tournament which was held at UC-San Diego. It mark the highest-ever finish for Maryland in the annual event, which featured six of the top 15 teams in the country.

Next up, the Terps will travel to Lewisburg, Pa., next weekend to play in the Bison Invitational.