Katie O’Donnell just can’t seem to stop raking in accolades and awards.
The Terrapin field hockey forward ended her 2009 season by winning the Honda Award, given to the nation’s top player. O’Donnell was also named the National Player of the Year and Offensive MVP by womensfieldhockey.com.
Tuesday, O’Donnell received recognition as the ACC’s Player of the Week. The senior co-captain scored two goals and dished out three assists during the No. 2 Terps’ (2-0) opening weekend against No. 11 Drexel and Villanova.
Even though she leads all active NCAA players in career points (215), career goals (69) and career assists (77), O’Donnell remains humble.
“For me, it’s not at all about the awards,” she said. “I’m pushing myself this year to win the national championship for my team, coaches and school. It’s more about motivating myself for the national championship game and winning that than boosting my stats or getting awards.”
GELLING QUICKLY
With the loss of seven seniors to graduation, a sizable recruiting class was expected to contribute early and often for the Terps. But coach Missy Meharg was surprised by just how quickly and ably the team’s six true freshmen stepped in during the team’s successful first weekend.
“I think one of the things that I’m so impressed with this team and the staff is that when you graduate seven starting seniors it can make things a little challenging,” Meharg said. “And for just two-and-a-half weeks of knowing each other, I’m very pleased because we’ve played great hockey, and we grew from Friday to Sunday.”
The Terps had their first team meeting Aug. 11 and first practice Aug. 12, giving the freshmen very little time to prepare for the season. The team also played just one preseason scrimmage, an Aug. 20 tilt against Penn State.
“I’m just really excited about how the team performed, especially in our season opener,” senior co-captain and defender Alicia Morawski said. “It’s always tough to open up on the road, especially for the freshmen, who did a great job.”
RANKINGS TALK
After spending all of last season ranked No. 1 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll, the Terps began at No. 2 this season behind defending national champion North Carolina.
But Meharg and players alike said they don’t like to read too much into the rankings.
“I don’t have a preference,” Meharg said when asked whether she preferred to have the No. 1 ranking. “Whatever you’re given, you’re given, and if you pay attention to what you’re ranked, then you might believe it. I think what we need to do is just grow a lot. We need to constantly get better and better.”
The Terps received the top spot in last year’s preseason poll and held that ranking all year as they built a winning streak of 35 games that dated back to 2008. But they didn’t end there, losing to No. 3 North Carolina, 3-2, in the NCAA Championship game.
“I think there’s a positive and negative to each,” O’Donnell said. “If you’re not No. 1, you thrive to be No. 1. If you’re No. 1, you have a big target on your back, and everyone plays their best against you. It’s good to be either, so wherever we are, we’re happy with it.”
jengelke@umdbk.com
