Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware field hockey team was ranked No. 15 for the third straight week in the latest independent WomensFieldHockey.com Poll as compiled by the website’s staff.

The Blue Hens, who were selected No. 17 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll earlier this week, were one of five teams from the Colonial Athletic Association in the top-20.

Drexel stands at No. 10 in the latest poll, while James Madison is No. 11. Northeastern and Old Dominion round out the conference honorees, placing 17th and 19th, respectively.

Delaware (11-4) enters the final week of the season needing two wins to secure the regular season championship and host the conference tournament. One victory would clinch a playoff berth for the Blue Hens.

UD opens up the stretch run on Friday with a 7 p.m. showdown against Hofstra at Rullo Stadium. The squad then caps the regular season by hosting Drexel on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Dragons currently enter the weekend in a tie with the Hens for the top spot in the CAA.

Casey Howard headlines the Delaware attack after piecing together an incredible senior season. The Blue Hen captain has already tied the single-season program record with 20 goals and 44 points. She also ranks second in the conference in both goals- and points-per-game.

The Blue Hens also boast three players who rank among the league’s top-10 in assists. Missy Woodie is tied for fifth in the conference with eight assists, while Kimmy Schlezes (above) and Rae Everson are knotted in seventh with seven.

Among other league leaders, Michelle Drummonds is at the top of the CAA with six defensive saves, while Noelle Diana’s three shutouts are tied for the league lead. The Blue Hen goalie also ranks third with a 2.13 goals-against-average.

Maryland earned the top spot in the WomensFieldHockey.com poll, while North Carolina placed second. Virginia, Princeton, and Wake Forest rounded out the top-five.

AGATE:

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