2007 - SENIOR: Named a team tri-captain as well as team MVP • Awarded 2007-08 Big Ten Medal of Honor • Named to Scholar All-America second team by NSCAA • Made Soccer Buzz's All-Great Lakes Region first team • Also made NSCAA's All-Great Lakes Region third team • All-Big Ten second team selection • Played and started in all but one game on the season • Scored her first goal of the season on a penalty kick vs. Indiana • Anchored an Illini defense that led the Big Ten with 11 shutouts • Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
2006 - Junior: Named to Soccer Buzz's All-Great Lakes Region third team • Played in and started all 24 games, playing all but 20 minutes of the season • Defensive MVP of the Illinois Tournament after keying a pair of shutouts • Helped lead an Illini defense that racked up 12 shutouts on the season, second-most in school history • Scored on a penalty kick at Michigan • Scored her first goal of the season at Wisconsin • Assisted on the game-winning goal against No. 17 Purdue • NSCAA Scholar All-Central Region second team selection • Academic All-Big Ten selection.
2005 - Sophomore: Played and started all 22 matches, playing all but 24 minutes • Played all 110 minutes in a 0-0 draw vs. UW-Milwaukee • Scored her first career goal in the Big Ten opener vs. Northwestern • Played all 90 minutes in a 1-0 shutout of Nebraska • Logged 110 minutes in a scoreless draw with Michigan State • Played all 90 minutes in a 1-0 victory at Indiana.
2004 - Freshman: Standout newcomer appeared in 21 matches on the season, starting 15 • Named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team, as well as the Soccer Buzz Great Lakes Region All-Freshman Team • Youngest member of an experienced defensive unit that recorded 10 shutouts • Served as Illinois' primary defender off the bench in the first nine matches before taking over the starting position at right back • Received her first collegiate start against Wisconsin • Recorded her first collegiate point with an assist in Illinois' 4-0 shutout of Minnesota • During the 2005 spring season, scored the game-winning goal in Illinois' 1-0 victory over the Mexican National Team on.
High School/Club: 2004 Chicago Sun-Times first team All-State sweeper • Two-time All-State and All-Sectional (2003-04) • Three-time IHSSCA All-Conference (2002-04) • Southtown and Star newspapers All-Area selection in 2003 • Helped lead Sandburg to a runner-up finish at state in 2001 and an elite eight appearance in 2003 • Played for the Windy City Pride club team, leading them to several state and regional crowns, and a fourth place national finish in 2002 • Named club-wide Defensive Player of the Year in 2000, Team MVP in 2001 and club-wide Player of the Year in 2002 • Member of the State and Regional ODP teams in 2003 • Coached by Brian Bell and Ko Thanadabouth.
Personal: Born Aug. 26, 1986 • Daughter of Ian and Jean McDonnell • Has one sister, Shannon, who is also a defender on the team • Also has three brothers who all played on the UI club hockey team • National Honor Society member • Majoring in speech and hearing sciences.
Getting to Know Mary Therese: Nickname: MT • Favorite Athletes: Brian Urlacher and Michelle Akers • Favorite TV show: Family Guy • Favorite Movie: Crash • Favorite Book: The Godfather • Favorite thing about Coach Rayfield: Her knowledge of and passion for the game • Three words that describe me: Ambitious, athletic and hard-working • I chose Illinois because: I like the atmosphere and it has great academic and athletic programs.
Coach Rayfield on Mary Therese: "`M.T.' has been a permanent but quiet presence on the field for the Illinois program since halfway through her freshman year. Heading into her senior year, there is an outward determination that can be seen and that has driven her in the weight room this summer. I expect that her efforts will result in her contribution being recognized and noticed by our opponents as well as by her coaches and teammates. Her impact will be felt as she imposes her attacking ability and her defensive leadership to drive this team to reach its potential."
MCDONNELL'S CAREER STATISTICSYear GP-GS G A P GWG Shots SOG2004 21-15 0 1 1 0 1 12005 22-22 1 0 2 0 10 52006 24-24 2 1 5 0 9 6TOTALS 67-61 3 2 8 0 20 12
