The University of Delaware field hockey team isn’t ready to release its stranglehold on Colonial Athletic Association title.
The Blue Hens captured their 4th straight CAA crown Sunday, and with it a 4th consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The Blue Hens, ranked 9th nationally, defeated number 20 James Madison 4-1 in Newark to win the league championship and earn an automatic berth into the Division I national playoffs.
CAA Player of the Year Greta Nauck and Meghan Winesett scored two goals to lead the Hens.
“It feels incredible. We went into this game like every other game; we couldn’t think about it as a championship game. We went in, did what we had to do and it all worked out. We’ll let this soak in for a couple of hours, but we have much bigger goals ahead of us. This was the first step,” said Winesett.
The win extends UD’s team-record win streak to 15 and their 19 wins this season is also a team record.
Delaware is the first to win four straight CAA field hockey titles since Old Dominion won 8 straight from 1996-to-2003.
“ We’re rock solid. This group is so mature and driven. My hat’s off to them for the way they’ve prepared and competed all season long. They really drive themselves and ultimately that’s what you want in a player’s group. They want it and they’ll go out and do it,” said Head Coach Rolf van de Kerkhof.
Delaware - now 19-and-2 this season – will face in Louisville in a first round contest Saturday afternoon at 2 at Duke.
Last year, the Hens were ousted in the tourney's opening round, losing to Virginia 4-3 in overtime
