Kelly Amonte Hiller can open up her trophy case for another accolade.
Amonte Hiller, coach of the No. 2 Wildcats, was named to the NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse 25th Anniversary team Thursday. The team consists of 12 former players and one current coach for outstanding achievement in NCAA championships.
“It’s always exciting to be honored at that level,” said Amonte Hiller, one of five former Maryland players to be named to the honorary team. “It’s a very special honor to be on a list with such a great group of players.”
Amonte Hiller was a four-time All-American at Maryland from 1993-1996. She was named the NCAA Division I Player of the Year in 1995 and 1996, the same years she helped the Terrapins capture national titles.
In 1996, Amonte Hiller was named the ACC Female Athlete of the Year for her performance in lacrosse and soccer. She was also an All-American in soccer during her collegiate career.
“She was a fabulous player,” Amonte Hiller’s former coach and current Maryland coach Cindy Timchal said. Timchal, who has won eight national titles as a coach, was named the coach of the anniversary team. “(Amonte Hiller) did it all. She was very intense. As a center, she was really instrumental in our offense. She was one of the greatest finishers on the attack and could really make things happen.”
Amonte Hiller, who was a member of the 2001 World Cup champion U.S. National team said she has never been focused on individual honors.
“I always look back and remember my teammates,” Amonte Hiller said. “I was on some great championship teams, but you really remember the day-to-day stuff with the other girls. Just living, practicing and growing up with them.”
Although she is most recently known for resurrecting Northwestern’s lacrosse program with an NCAA title in her fourth season as the head coach in 2005, Amonte Hiller said she is always ready to play again.
“I want my team to learn the hardworking and gritty style that I play with,” she said. “I knew our program was getting strong when the girls started taking the ball away from me. It’s really fun to get back on the field once in a while and show the girls where I’m coming from.”
Amonte Hiller is in her fifth season as the coach of the Cats and is on pace to lead them to their third NCAA tournament appearance. While playing at Maryland, Amonte Hiller was a three-time All-NCAA tournament player.
The panel that chose the honorary team consisted of current and former coaches, athletics administrators and sports information directors.
Reach Steve Silver at [email protected].
