Frazer, Witmer Named to NCAA Tourney Team
11/18/2012 7:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 18, 2012
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Senior Megan Frazer and junior Jill Witmer of the Maryland field hockey team were named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team, released Sunday.
The duo combined for seven points in the Terps' three NCAA Tournament games that led to their fifth straight Final Four appearance.
Witmer led the Terrapins in scoring in the Tournament with two goals and an assist. She scored Maryland's second goal in a 2-0 win over No. 13 Lafayette in the first round. Against eventual national champion Princeton in the Final Four, Witmer scored off a rebounded shot from a penalty corner in the 10th minute to tie the game at 1-1.
Frazer, the 2011 Honda Sports Award recipient, scored the game-winner to send the Terrapins back to the Final Four. At No. 3 Connecticut, Frazer carried the ball into the circle and sent a back-handed shot into the net for a 2-1 win and Maryland's 15th trip to the Final Four under head coach Missy Meharg.
Witmer was named to the All-Tournament team in 2011 and Frazer was named in 2010 and 2011.
No. 6 Maryland was edged by Princeton, 3-2, Friday night in the NCAA Semifinals off a penalty stroke awarded to the Tigers in the sixth minute of overtime. The Terrapins' defense held the nation's No. 1 offense at bay for most of the game. After trailing 2-1 late, Maryland tied it up off a stroke with 14 minutes to play.
With just over nine minutes left in overtime, the Tigers brought the ball up and in the right side of the circle. As they dribbled it in, goalkeeper Natalie Hunter and Terrapin defenders collapsed on the play. The umpire gave the Tigers a penalty stroke with 9:04 to play and Teresa Benvenuti made it for the sudden-death win.
Maryland is 53-17 all-time in NCAA Tournament play for more tournament wins than any other school. They have advanced to 16 Final Fours overall and 15 under Meharg.
In their four-year career, seniors Kirstie Dennig, Megan Frazer, Colleen Gulick, Danielle Kauffman, Janessa Pope, Lindsey Puckett, Harriet Tibble and Tara Zollinger competed in four Final Fours, three NCAA title games and three ACC title games. They won the 2010 and 2011 NCAA Championships and 2009 and 2010 ACC titles. They compiled a record of 83-12 (.874).
