Jan. 21, 1998

1997 National Championship Team to Visit Maryland State Senate

COLLEGE PARK, MD -- The 1997 University of Maryland women's lacrosse team, the three-time defending national champion, is scheduled to be honored by the Maryland State Senate on February 2 at 8 p.m. in Annapolis.

The Terps, last spring, became the first team in NCAA Division I women's lacrosse history to win three consecutive national championships. The Terps defeated Loyola (Md.), 8-7, on May 18 to claim the title. The Terps previously won the 1996 national championship as they defeated Virginia, 10-5, and the 1995 national championship, defeating Princeton, 13-5.

Maryland's 1997 national championship marked the record fifth time the Terps had won the title since the NCAA began sponsoring the championship in 1982. No other team has won more than three NCAA women's lacrosse national championships. The Terps have now won a national record six national championships - the most by any school in the nation. The Terps' first national championship in 1981 was sponsored by the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women.

The Terps ended the '97 campaign with a record 21 wins, losing only one game. It marked the first time that a women's lacrosse team had won 20 games or more in a single season.

In addition, Maryland head coach Cindy Timchal became the third winningest coach in Division I women's lacrosse history. Timchal's career record now stands at 185-48 (.794). Her winning percentage places her as one of only three coaches in Division I history to win at least 79 percent of her games. Timchal's record in seven years at Maryland is 109-8 (.932).

"I am so honored, and feel so proud of the accomplishments of my team over the last three seasons. This is truly an honor for myself, Maryland women's lacrosse and the University of Maryland," said Timchal.

Printer-friendly format	Email this article