“It’s a great feeling,” Trycinski said. “Not everybody gets to do this. I’m very honored. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to meet the president.”

Trycinski was an integral part of the Terps’ championship run.

After scoring six regular-season goals primarily as a player off the bench, Trycinski managed to tap in the decisive goal in Maryland’s 1-0 win over top-seeded Wake Forest in the NCAA championship game in November.

“It’s just crazy,” Trycinski said. “I just got lucky with that goal, and all this attention is crazy.”

Seven months after guiding Maryland to its third championship in eight seasons, head coach Missy Meharg recognizes the short bus trip from College Park to the White House as more of a team reunion.

“It’s really nice to get back together and reconnect as a team,” she said from the bus. “Some of our players graduated and December, and we haven’t seen them since. So, it’s nice seeing everyone again and having a really relaxing, fun time. It’s a great opportunity for the women and the University of Maryland athletics.”

During her 19 seasons at Maryland, Meharg has led the Lady Terrapins to a 327-95-9 record, six ACC championships and four national titles. She took her team to Washington last year when the president honored seven championship teams from the fall of 2005, making much of Monday’s meeting old hat.

But that didn’t stop her from relishing the moment.

“It can never get old,” Meharg said.

Last year, the Terps presented Bush with a field hockey stick, along with Maryland jersey for First Lady Laura Bush.

Trycinski spent four years as a forward for Maryland and totaled 12 goals and two assists in 68 games – including 50 games in her final two years in which the Terps went 46-4 en route to consecutive championships.

“It’s just finally coming to an end with this trip,” Trycinski said. “I love my teammates. It’s been an awesome ride.”