Nov. 19, 2002

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -

Abe Thompson (Fairfax, Va.), a sophomore forward on the Terps' soccer team, and Carissa Messimer (Mountaintop, Pa.), a senior midfielder on the Terps' field hockey squad, have been selected Maryland student-athletes of the week for their athletic performances on the field the week of Nov. 11.

Thompson led the Maryland men's soccer team to the ACC championship last Sunday, its first since 1996. He was named MVP of the 2002 ACC men's soccer tournament held in Cary, N.C. Thompson scored at least one goal in all three games of the tournament, including a hat trick in the championship game. He scored all three goals in the Terps' 3-0 victory over Virginia. He added an assist during the tournament. Thompson was named second team All-ACC and was named College Soccer News national player of the week. Look for Thompson and the No. 2 seed Terps in the NCAA tournament, when they take on the winner of the Nov. 23 match between American and George Washington, in College Park, on Nov. 27.

Messimer sent the No. 5 Terps into the second round of the NCAA tournament with her overtime goal over No. 16 William and Mary on Nov. 16. With the assist from Colleen Barbiari, Messimer connected for a goal in the 74th minute. This season Messimer, a 2002 All-ACC selection, led the Terps to their eighth straight NCAA tournament appearance. Messimer, a government and politics and criminology/criminal justice double major, is one of three seniors on the Terps' squad that has completed its 2002 season.