Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. – Entering the Colonial Athletic Association tournament this weekend, the University of Delaware field hockey team remains highly ranked in two national top-20 polls after splitting a pair of games over the weekend.

The Blue Hens (12-5) moved up to No. 16 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll, which marks the squad’s highest ranking this season. The team also remained No. 15 in the WomensFieldHockey.com rankings.

Last weekend, Delaware clinched a berth in the CAA playoffs after defeating Hofstra, 4-1, before falling to Drexel, 4-2, in the regular season finale. The Hens finished the season with a 6-2 mark in league action and will enter the tournament as the No. 2 seed.

It marks the first time the team has made the playoffs since 2006 and the fifth time since joining the CAA in 2002. Delaware’s No. 2 seed is also its highest since earning the same one heading into the 1997 America East championship.

The Blue Hens are led by a high-powered offense that is guided by senior captain Casey Howard. In her final campaign, she has posted 22 goals and 49 points. Both totals currently rank second in the conference and are new single-season program records.

Michelle Drummonds also leads the conference with seven defensive saves, while Missy Woodie stands sixth in the CAA with eight assists. Goalie Noelle Diana (above) is tied for the top spot with three shutouts as well.

Maryland was selected as the top team in both polls with North Carolina, Virginia, and Princeton close behind. Syracuse rounded out the top-five in the NFHCA poll, while Wake Forest earned that spot in the WomensFieldHockey.com rankings.

Delaware was one of four teams to earn a spot in the NFHCA’s top-20 after Drexel placed 10th, James Madison came in 11th, and Old Dominion was selected 20th. In the WomensFieldHockey.com poll, Northeastern also earned a mention, coming in 18th.

UD will return to action on Saturday when the squad battles James Madison in the first round of the CAA playoffs at 2:30 p.m. The game will be hosted at Drexel’s Buckley Field.

AGATE:

2009 Kookaburra / NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll (November 3): 1. Maryland (52 first-places votes), 1078 points. 2. North Carolina ,1040. 3. Virginia, 981. 4. Princeton (1), 898. 5. Syracuse, 844. 6. Wake Forest, 798. 7. UConn, 760. 8. Michigan State, 754 (1). 9. Boston College, 607. 10. Drexel, 594. 11. James Madison, 463. 12. Ohio State, 451. 13. Louisville, 398. 14. Duke, 369. 15. Stanford, 361. 16. Delaware, 237. 17. Albany, 213. 18. Indiana, 209. 19. UMass (1), 69. 20. Old Dominion, 66.

WomensFieldHockey.com Poll (November 3): 1. Maryland. 2. North Carolina. 3. Virginia. 4. Princeton. 5. Wake Forest. 6. Michigan State. 7. Syracuse. 8. Connecticut. 9. Drexel. 10. Boston College. 11. James Madison. 12. Ohio State. 13. Duke. 14. Louisville. 15. Delaware. 16. Stanford. 17. Providence. 18. Northeastern. 19. Old Dominion. 20. Indiana.