Maryland field hockey’s Riley Donnelly, Brooke DeBerdine named All-Americans

Maryland field hockey defender Riley Donnelly and midfielder Brooke DeBerdine were tabbed with All-America honors by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association on Tuesday.

Donnelly, a native of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, was named to the Second Team for her incredible performance throughout Maryland’s 15-match season.

Despite being a defender, Donnelly was the Terps’ biggest offensive threat this season, leading the team with six goals. She was Maryland’s go-to option on penalty strokes, converting on three of the four attempts the team had all season. A key cog for Maryland’s defense, Donnelly earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on March 22 in addition to being named a First Team All-Big Ten defender.

DeBerdine, Maryland’s senior captain, was a rock for the Terps all season long, earning a spot on the NFHCA’s Third Team.

Even though she missed Maryland’s last three games of the regular season due to an injury, her leadership and strong play on the field were more than enough to give DeBerdine the honor of being an All-American. Despite having only one point on the season, DeBerdine has been credited by her teammates for being one the most important defensive players on the field for the Terps, especially on penalty corners. The midfielder, who joined Donnelly on this year’s All-Big Ten First Team, has started all 80 games she has played in throughout her career.

It is the first All-America honor for both Donnelly and DeBerdine, joining 14 other Big Ten players on the three NFHCA teams.

While the Terps finished 8-7 this past season and missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994, head coach Missy Meharg will reload and bring back plenty of returning talent for the 2021 season. Donnelly, a rising senior, and DeBerdine, who will be a graduate student in the fall, will be playing again for Maryland next season, this time around as All-Americans.