Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell

RICHMOND, Va. - Heading into their opening weekend for the 2010 season, Michelle Drummonds and Missy Woodie of the University of Delaware field hockey team were named to the preseason All-CAA team, announced August 27.

In a ballot voted on by the league’s coaches, and nominated only by being a returning All-CAA player, being named to the preseason All-CAA team has no bearings on determining the all conference teams at year’s end.

Drummonds returns to the Blue Hens after recording a league-leading and school record seven defensive saves last season. The senior back and First Team All-CAA honoree became the first Delaware player in five years to post a goal, assist and defensive save in one game after doing so against Brown in September.

Fellow first team all-conference selection Woodie recorded eight assists in 2009, which led the squad and ranked sixth in the CAA. The senior back brings a wealth of experience to the field this season, as she is the only current Blue Hen to appear in each of the team’s 57 contests since 2007.

Drexel’s Christina Mastropaolo, the reigning CAA Player of the Year, has been chosen as the 2010 CAA Preseason Player of the Year as she returns for her final season after posting a league-best 29 goals and 69 points in 2009, both school records. A Second Team NFHCA All-America selection a year ago, Mastropaolo led the nation with 10 game-winning goals, seven of which were scored in consecutive games during the season.

The team traveled to Durham, N.H. for its opening weekend tournament. They beat Vermont, 4-2, in the opening game on Saturday. They used two goals from Michelle Drummonds to get by the Catamounts. On Sunday, they took on the host New Hampshire in the final day of the tournament. The Blue Hens couldn’t overcome two quick first half goals, losing 2-1.

Delaware will host Cornell on September 5, for its 2010 home opener in Rullo Stadium. The game will begin at 12 p.m.

AGATE:

2010 Preseason All-CAA Field Hockey Team

Kaela Barker, M, Northeastern; Maria Caro, D/M, William & Mary; Susan Ciufo, F, Drexel; Dolores de Rooij, F/M, James Madison; Michelle Drummonds, B, Delaware; Genna Kovar, F/M, Hofstra; Christina Mastropaolo, F, Drexel; Jenne Phillips, GK, Drexel; Crystal Poland, F, Northeastern; Marle van Dessel, M, VCU; Missy Woodie, B/M, Delaware.