April 28, 2005

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Virginia Tech midfielder Natasha Fuchs was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year Thursday night.

Fuchs (Bay Shore, N.Y.) led the ACC in assists per game and was in the top ten for points and draw controls. She broke Tech's single-season record of 25 assists by Suzy Funston in 1996 and stands in fifth place on the Hokies' career assist list.

At the end of the regular season, Fuchs was third nationally in assists per game and 20^th in points per game. She tallied 54 points on 19 goals and 35 assists for 54 points, which is good enough for sixth best in a single season in school history. Her 17 caused turnovers were tops on the team while the 32 draw controls she won placed her second in that category. Fuchs' 22 ground balls were fourth best on the squad.

"Natasha is a very unselfish player who does her best every single day. She is a tremendous athlete who would rather make a good pass than score herself. Natasha constantly has a smile on her face and will do anything to better herself and her teammates. She is very modest player on and off the field. Natasha is a great team player and an absolute joy to be around."

Fuchs becomes the first Virginia Tech lacrosse player to ever garner Freshman of the Year.