Cummings, Mercer Named Tewaaraton Finalists

University of Maryland Athletics

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Seniors Taylor Cummings and Alice Mercer of the Maryland women’s lacrosse team were announced as two of five finalists for the 2016 Tewaaraton Award Sunday evening.

Cummings and Mercer are co-captains for the undefeated Terps this season. The seniors were both named All-Big Ten and IWLCA First Team All-Region, and both play for the U.S. National Team.

One of the most decorated players in lacrosse history, Cummings is the reigning two-time Tewaaraton winner. She leads the Terps with 70 points, 60 ground balls, 128 draw controls and 47 caused turnovers and is second on the team with 53 goals and 17 assists. Cummings was named the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year for the second straight season and earned Big Ten Tournament MVP honors. The Ellicott City, Md., native is a three-time IWLCA First Team All-American.

Mercer leads Maryland’s defense, which ranks sixth nationally. She has 32 ground balls, 16 draw controls and 27 caused turnovers this season. Mercer earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors and was named to the Big Ten all-tournament team. The Woodbine, Md., native was an IWLCA Second Team All-American last season.

Maryland has produced six Tewaaraton winners, the most in the history of the award. Jen Adams won the first Tewaaraton in 2001, and Caitlyn Phipps earned the honor in 2010. Katie Schwarzmann won back-to-back Tewaaratons in 2012 and 2013.

The Terps have had 17 Tewaaraton finalists in 13 years of the award. This is the fourth time Maryland has had two finalists in the same season.

Cummings and Mercer are joined by Nicole Graziano (Florida), Barbara Sullivan (Notre Dame) and Kayla Treanor (Syracuse) on the finalist list.

The Tewaaraton Award annually honors the top male and top female college lacrosse player in the United States. Finalists come from a pool of 25 men’s and 25 women’s nominees. The Tewaaraton recipients will be announced June 2.

– Maryland –