Dec. 6, 2011

COLLEGE PARK, MD. - University of Maryland women's soccer goalkeeper Rachelle Beanlands is one of six nominees for the Canadian U20 Player of the Year.

"This is a credit to Rachelle," said Maryland head coach Brian Pensky. "She's a special person and a special athlete. Quite deserving of this nomination."

Beanlands, a freshman from Ottawa, Ontario, redshirted the 2011 season for the Terps, but was active with the Canadian national teams.

In June she was named an alternate for the full Canadian National Team that played in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.

Beanlands was then named to the full national team for the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, in October. She earned her first cap with the full national team on Oct. 20 when she helped lead Canada to a 1-0 victory over Argentina. Canada won the gold medal at the Pan Am Games, defeating Brazil via shootout in the goal medal match.

Beanlands is among the player pool for the Canadian National Team that will play in the 2012 London Olympics next July and August.