March 7, 2013

Each week during the 2012-13 season a Maryland student-athlete, who has shown excellence on and off the playing field, will be selected as the Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week. This week's Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week is Alex Aust from women's lacrosse.

Aust was named Nike National Player of the Week and ACC Offensive Player of the Week after racking up 19 points in a pair of wins at No. 6 Virginia and in College Park against Hofstra.

Senior co-captain Alex Aust has commanded the offensive side of the field this season as the undefeated Terps continue to dominate. Aust has racked up 30 points in the last three games against Virginia, Hofstra and UMBC, and these breakout performances have her turning heads across the game of lacrosse.

Aust currently leads the team in goals (23) and assists (20), and now holds the Terrapin single-game record for assists, earning seven in a Tuesday night contest against UMBC. Aust tallied a career-best 11 points on the night, including four goals and seven assists, only one shy of the Maryland program record, currently held by arguably the greatest women's lacrosse player of all-time Jen Adams.

Aust recorded five goals and five assists to help Maryland top No. 6 Virginia 18-10 on the road Friday. Aust also added four goals and five assists to help the Terps defeat Hofstra 16-11 on Sunday.

The Sterling, Va., native admits that she has come into her own the past two seasons because of her increasing self-confidence and help from teammates.

"I became more confident in my game and found my place on the field as I started feeding my junior year," says Aust. "I have been lucky to have great people to feed to, last year having Karri Ellen Johnson and Kristy Black, and this year having Brooke Griffin and Kristen Lamon. Having such great finishers makes it really easy on me."

When asked about individual statistics, Aust is quick to compliment her teammates rather than take the glory, and she attributes her success to their hard work and skill.

"We have really built up to having a dynamic offense, we haven't always had that," says Aust. "Everyone on our attack can score, and that is what makes our team so hard to defend."

Having the opportunity to play for fours years with reigning Tewaaraton winner Katie Schwarzmann has also been a highlight for Aust. "She is so fast and dynamic, and she sees all opportunities on the field. It has been an absolute honor to play with her."

With more than half of her last season left to play, Aust has big dreams for her and her teammates. Playing each game one at a time is important to Aust, but she never forgets the big picture.

"I play for my teammates. We won a national championship my freshman year, but I didn't really have much of an impact on that," says Aust. "The last two years we have come really close, but have lost in the final four and championship games. Now, as a senior, knowing this is my last chance to win it all makes me push harder to play for my team, not for individual statistics."