GLEN ALLEN, VA -- The University of Delaware field hockey team was ranked No. 17 in this week’s STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll after receiving 156 points during a vote by the NFHCA.

The ranking is the highest for the Hens since they finished the 2004 campaign ranked No. 14 in the nation. It is also the earliest top-20 ranking since Delaware opened the 1998 season at No. 20 in the poll.

Delaware opened the 2007 campaign with a dominating 4-0 victory over No. 13 Ohio State during the Buckeye Classic. The following day, the Hens captured the tournament championship with a 3-2 win over Kent State.

This past week, Delaware traveled to Virginia and continued its hot start, topping Richmond, 1-0, and Longwood, 3-1.

The Hens’ 4-0 start is its first since 1997. It is the program’s ninth 4-0 start in team history, dating back to 1971.

Delaware is led by senior Molly Burke, who was named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week on August 26 after scoring three goals in the Buckeye Classic.

Along with Burke, Casey Howard and Amanda Warrington were named to the Preseason CAA All-Conference team. Howard is currently second on the team with three goals, while Warrington leads the squad with three assists.

Junior goalie Nikki Rhoades (at right) also has had a solid start to the season, allowing just two goals in her first four games, including shutouts against Ohio State and Richmond.

As a team, the Hens’ have surrendered just three goals, marking the fewest scores surrendered by the team since the 1994 Hens allowed only one during its first four matches.

The University of Maryland was ranked No. 1 by the NFHCA, receiving 19 first-place votes. North Carolina finished second after the Tar Heels garnered 15 first-place votes.

Fellow CAA members Old Dominion and James Madison also earned spots in the Top-20, ranking No. 9 and 11 respectively. Duke, who faces Delaware on October 20, was picked No. 8.

The Blue Hens return to action on Friday at 4 p.m. when they face Rutgers for the team’s home opener.

AGATE:

2007 STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll (September 2): 1. Maryland (19 first-place votes), 664 points; 2. North Carolina (15 first-place votes), 657; 3. Connecticut, 569 points; 4. Iowa, 553 points; 5. Wake Forest, 501 points; 6. Penn State, 494; 7. Michigan State, 428; 8. Duke, 398 points; 9. Old Dominion, 361; 10. Ohio, 292; 11. James Madison, 284; 12. American, 281; 13. Boston College, 222; 14. Virginia, 203; 15. Michigan, 182; 16. Louisville, 158; 17. Delaware, 156; 18. Boston, 128 points; 19. Indiana, 116; 20. Syracuse, 92.