Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

GLEN ALLEN, Va. – For the third straight week, the University of Delaware field hockey team held its spot at No. 17 in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll announced today.

During the team’s action last week, Delaware (10-4) split with Monmouth and Maryland. On Friday, the Blue Hens beat the Hawks, 3-1, before falling to the top-ranked Terrapins, 4-0, on Sunday. Overall, the squad has now won 10 of its last 12 contests.

The Blue Hens have been led all year by senior captain Casey Howard, who also had another strong performance last week. Against Monmouth, she recorded her second hat-trick of the season after scoring each of the team’s three goals. She is only the fourth Blue Hen in program history to record two during a single season and the first since Jodi Byrd did it in 1997.

With that performance, Howard improved her season total to 17, which is now tied for fourth on Delaware’s all-time list. Her 46 career goals are also tied for third in program history along with current head coach Carol Miller.

This season, Howard stands third in the Colonial Athletic Association with 37 points. She also ranks second in the league in goals and game-winning goals.

Along with Howard, Missy Woodie and Rae Everson (above) have also helped guide Delaware’s offensive attack. Woodie is tied for fifth in the CAA with seven assists, while Everson is eighth with six.

The Blue Hen defense has been just as strong throughout the year. Michelle Drummonds leads the conference with six defensive saves, while goalie Noelle Diana is tied for the top spot with three shutouts. Her 1.93 goals-against-average also ranks fourth among league netminders.

The Blue Hens are currently one of three teams from the CAA in the national rankings. James Madison currently sits at No. 9 and Drexel stands at No. 11. Northeastern, Old Dominion, and Hofstra are also receiving votes in the poll

Maryland currently holds the top spot in the rankings, while North Carolina stands second. Virginia, Princeton, and Syracuse round out the top-five.

Delaware will return to action on Friday when the team hosts CAA rival Towson at 7 p.m.

AGATE:

2009 Kookaburra / NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll (October 20): 1. Maryland (55 first-places votes), 1176 points. 2. North Carolina (3), 1121. 3. Virginia, 1051. 4. Princeton (1), 978. 5. Syracuse, 926. 6. Wake Forest, 863. 7. UConn, 809. 8. Michigan State, 772. 9. James Madison, 608. 10. Boston College, 587. 11. Drexel, 554. 12. Stanford, 408. 13. Duke, 362. 14. Louisville, 334. 15. Ohio State, 313. 16. UMass, 306. 17. Delaware, 285. 18. Albany, 223. 19. Northwestern, 195. 20. Indiana, 91.