PENN STATE CAREER
2009 (Junior): ALC Academic Honor Roll...Academic All-Big Ten...Started every game in the midfield for the third straight year, upping the total to a string of 51 consecutive contests...Posted career-highs in goals (12), assists (5), and points (17)...Recorded first career three-goal game in season opener versus Lafayette (2/18)...Also netted multiple goals against Bucknell (2/25), Colgate (3/1), and Lehigh (4/8)...Totaled 15 ground balls, nine draw controls, and four caused turnovers.
2008 (Sophomore): In the starting line-up for all 17 games...Fifth in the team with 13 draw controls...Scored four goals on the year...Score two goals and had one assist in Penn State[apos]s 18-3 win over Colgate (3/2)...Collected 11 ground balls and four caused turnovers.
2007 (Freshman): Started all 17 games in her first collegiate season to lead the freshman class in games played and games started...Posted eight goals and four assists...Totaled a season-high four points (2 goals, 2 assists) at Northwestern (3/14)...Also netted two goals in victory over Loyola (3/31)...Led the freshman class with 12 ground balls and 11 draw controls...Caused four turnovers.
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
As a senior at Seton Keough H.S., was selected First Team All-City and All-Conference and named IAAM All-Star...Earned Academic All-American honors in junior and senior seasons...Named team MVP, First Team All-City and All-Conference, and IAAM All-Star as a junior...Earned four varsity letters in lacrosse, three in basketball, and one in volleyball...Selected Most Valuable Defensive Player on basketball team as a junior...President of the National Honor Society (2004-06)...Honored in Who[apos]s Who Among High School Students...Received gold honor roll, silver honor roll, and scholar athlete recognition (2002-06)...Played club lacrosse with Hero[apos]s in Baltimore.
PERSONAL
Maria Erin Valderas was born on May 7, 1988 in Baltimore, Md. to parents Mark and Susan Valderas...Has a sister, Jackie, who played basketball at Loyola College (Md.), and brother, Michael...Father, Mark, played basketball at Princeton and Loyola College.
QUOTING COACH ISIDOR
'Maria is the most experienced player on the field after starting every game in her first three years. We are going to look to Maria to provide consistency and leadership to our midfield unit. Her positioning on defense and her ability to finish on attack will be key to our success this season.'