June 9, 2003

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The postseason awards keep rolling in for the University of Maryland women's lacrosse team. At Saturday's Brine/IWLCA All-American banquet, three Maryland players were honored for their accomplishments -- both on and off the field -- in 2003.

Senior Alexis Venechanos continued her sweep of the 2003 postseason awards for goalies as she was given the Ensign C. Markland Kelly Goalkeeper of the Year Award for Division I's top netminder. Junior Kelly Coppedge -- this year's ACC Player of the Year -- was named national Midfielder of the Year, while senior Julie Shank was named Division I's Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Venechanos is Maryland's third national Goalie of the Year, following the footsteps of Alex Kahoe (2000) and Mandy Stevenson (1993). She posted a .575 save percentage and a 6.62 goals against average while winning 16 of the 19 games she started.

Coppedge led the Terps this year in scoring with 95 points and an NCAA-best 73 goals. She was a finalist for the Tewaaraton Trophy and Honda Award - each recognizing the best player in the sport - while still having a season left in the program.

Shank -- also a third team Academic All-American by Verizon -- finished her tenure in College Park with her finest season, leading a Maryland defense that held opponents to a paltry 6.54 goals per game. The All-ACC and ACC all-tourney performer also came up with career highs in ground balls (48) and caused turnovers (27). A double major at Maryland (marketing and psychology), Shank carried over a 3.8 grade point average.

Judd Named MVP
Senior Sonia Judd helped keep Maryland in the spotlight over the weekend with her play in the North/South All-Star game as she was named most valuable player for the game as a member of the South team.

Judd capped her career at Maryland with her finest season as a Terp. She finished second on the team in scoring with 74 points behind a strong .505 shooting percentage while being named an All-American attacker as well as All-ACC and ACC all-tournament.