COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Maryland women's soccer defender Kennedy Bell was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, as announced by the conference on Friday. Bell becomes the first Maryland women's soccer player to be named to the conference's All-Freshman team in program history. The last All-Freshman Team selection for the Terrapins came in 2012, while the program was still a member of the ACC.
 

Junior Halle Johnson was named to the Big Ten's Sportsmanship Team. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These student-athletes must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.

Bell had a phenomenal first campaign in College Park, with the freshman starting all 18 games for the Terrapins during the 2023 season. Bell led all freshmen and was third on the team with 1,545 minutes played. Bell was integral to on field play for the Terps, illustrated by the freshman playing 80 or more minutes in 16 of the team's 18 contests. Bell's lone assist on the season came in the Terrapin's 1-0 win over Towson on Sept. 3. Bell raced down the left side of the field and set up the game-winning goal to give the Terrapins their first win of the season. For her efforts in that match, Bell was awarded the Big Ten's Freshman of the Week honor. Earlier this month, Bell was named as one of the Top 100 Freshman in the nation by TopDrawer Soccer. 

Bell is one of the better one-on-one defenders for the Terrapins, allowing the Charlotte, NC native to play on both the inside and outside of the backline. Bell's defensive ability helped the Terrapins backline to six shutouts in 2023, the most for the program since 2019. Bell's speed is integral to the Terrapins' attack, as the freshman's quick feet and dribbling ability set multiple goal scoring opportunities for the Terps. 

Halle Johnson was also a key member of the Terrapins defense throughout the season. Johnson appeared in 10 matches for the Terps, while making eight starts. Johnson contributed to five out of the six shutouts for the Terps on the season, with the Bethesda, Maryland product playing a key role in all five matches. Johnson did not pick up a single yellow or red card in the entire season, with the junior showing an adept ability to defend forward attacking players without unnecessary creating contact.

Big Ten All-Freshman Team
Gabrielle Prych, F, Michigan
Megan Norkett, F, Northwestern
Amanda Schlueter, F, Ohio State
Lauren Omholt, F, Purdue
Ashley Baran, F, Rutgers
Bella Najera, M, Michigan State
Ava Bramblett, M, Ohio State
Lilley Bosley, M, Michigan
Sophia Bush, M, Iowa
Kate Childers, M, Minnesota
Kennedy Bell, D, Maryland
Hailey Baumann, D, Wisconsin
Piper Coffield, D, Indiana
Olivia Bodmer GK, Rutgers


Sportsmanship Team
Zoey Kollhoff, Sr., Illinois
Olivia Albert, So., Indiana
Zoë Bessert, R-Jr., Iowa
Halle Johnson, Jr., Maryland
Stephanie Sparkowski, Sr., Michigan
Jordyn Wickes, Jr., Michigan State
Elizabeth Overberg, Jr., Minnesota
Megan Raabe, Sr., Nebraska
Ingrid Falls, Sr., Northwestern
Nina LeFlore, R-Jr., Ohio State
Kate Wiesner, Sr+, Penn State
Kelsi Carrico, R-Jr., Purdue
Allison Lynch, Gr., Rutgers
Dara Andringa, Sr., Wisconsin