Before this weekend, Katie O’Donnell had only heard about the final four.

With all her older teammates having experienced the 2006 national championship season, the Terrapin field hockey star was still ring-less. Now, after winning their third national title in four years, the Terps have made playing in the promised land as much a part of any player’s birthright as free cleats and meals for away games.

But O’Donnell, the youngest ever member of the U.S. field hockey national team, had never played in a scholastic final at any level, making this weekend even more special for the sophomore forward.

“When I was in high school, I actually went to the semifinals of states three years in a row and lost all three years,” said O’Donnell, beaming after the Terps defeated Wake Forest 4-2 in the NCAA final. “So, for me, just coming here and being welcomed by the hotel and all these things here, this was amazing. Your eyes are wide open, and you’re shocked. It takes you back a little bit.”

If she was taken aback, it never showed on the field.

O’Donnell had two goals and one assist on the weekend. Her final score was the eventual game-winning goal in the final.

On that play, O’Donnell received the ball outside the 25, then burst past her defender, coaxing the ball along with one hand on her stick.

When she entered the circle, she used a quick touch to evade Wake Forest’s diving goalie, then touched the ball into the open net. It’s a tough move at full speed, but one O’Donnell is accustomed to making.

O’Donnell gave credit to a pair of people not actually on the field for the goal, though.

“Well, my sisters are here, and, actually, we had a word that whenever I heard that word, it reminded me to turn the ball forward and run,” O’Donnell said.

“What’s that word?” interrupted a curious Terp coach Missy Meharg at the press conference after the win.

“The word is purple,” O’Donnell continued, while the media and teammates chuckled at the simplicity of it all. “I heard the word and I knew I had to turn the ball forward and run as fast as I could. Just mentally I had to think, ‘I know I’m faster, I know I’m faster.'”

That O’Donnell was in fact faster surprised no one who’s seen the Terps play this season. After all, it’s no secret that her blazing speed has helped make her second on the team in points.

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