Maryland Wins NCAA Field Hockey Title
Terps win fourth title in school history as Jackie Ciconte
scores only goal of the game.

Box Score: http://umterps.collegesports.com/sports/w-
fieldh/stats/2005-2006/md1120.html

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Jackie Ciconte's goal in the first half
was all the No. 1 Maryland field hockey team needed to
capture the 2005 NCAA Championship crown, the program's
fourth overall and first in six years. The Terps defeated
third-seeded Duke, 1-0, in Trager Stadium in Louisville,
Ky., on Sunday afternoon.

"I'm thrilled for this team. These women have sacrificed and
worked so hard all season long to achieve their goals," said
18th-year Maryland head coach Missy Meharg, who picked up
the third national championship of her career. "This senior
class showed so much leadership and heart, and I'm proud of
these women for what they have accomplished."

Early in the game, senior Jackie Ciconte (Wilmington, Del.)
dribbled down the field and got behind the Duke defense for
a 1-v-1 with the goalkeeper. Making her way into the circle,
Blue Devils' goalie Christy Morgan went down for the block,
but Ciconte went around her for the shot into the open net
and the only score of the game less the nine minutes from
the opening whistle.

The Terrapin defense had another outstanding performance.
Maryland had possession for the majority of the first half,
but when the Blue Devils did make their way into the Terps'
circle, the defense took the ball away. Duke's only two
shots of the half went wide.

One of those shots came with 15:15 remaining in the first
half. Duke was awarded a penalty corner. Julie Tromp passed
the ball to ACC Offensive Player of the Year Katie Grant,
who was standing all alone on the baseline. However, her
shot went wide and out of bounds.

In the second half, Duke had the advantage on time of
possession, but could only get three shots. One of those
shots was off the penalty corner, but the shot never made it
close to the cage as senior Lauren Powley (Mountaintop, Pa.)
got her stick in the way for the block.

Duke, who boasted the fourth-ranked offense in the nation,
was held to just five shots for the game and was shutout for
only the second time all season. Their only other shutout
came at the hands of the Terps back on Oct. 8 in Durham,
N.C. It is the third time this season Maryland has defeated
the Blue Devils, also beating them in the semifinals of the
ACC Tournament in College Park.

The Terrapin defense posted its third shutout of the
tournament and the ninth of the season. The 23 wins this
season is one victory shy of tying the school record and the
most since 1999, the last time the Terps won the NCAA title.

Ciconte's goal was her 20th of the season, a career high and
tied for the fifth-most by a Terrapin.

Sophomore goalie Kathryn Masson (Richmond, British Columbia)
remains undefeated in her career vs. Duke, winning all five
meetings since last season.

Missy Meharg has guided Maryland NCAA titles in 1993, 1999
and, now, 2005. The Terps won their first title in 1987.

Five Terrapins represented the squad on the all-tournament
team. Senior Jackie Ciconte (Wilmington, Del.), senior
Tiffany Marsh (Marathon, N.Y.), senior Emily Beach
(Bethesda, Md.) and senior Lauren Powley (Mountaintop, Pa.)
were earned the honor for the first time in their careers.
Junior Paula Infante (Santiago, Chile) earned the honor for
the third-straight year.

No. 3 Duke (18-5)     0   0  -  0
No. 1 Maryland (23-2) 1   0  -  1

GOALS: DU, None; MD, Jackie Ciconte, 8:34. SHOTS: DU 5, MD
10. PENALTY CORNERS: DU 6, MD 4. SAVES: DU, Christy Morgan 4
(1 GA, 70:00); MD, Kathryn Masson 0 (0 GA, 70:00).
ATTENDANCE: 1007.