NEWARK, Del. - The University of Delaware field hockey team will play five 2008 NCAA Tournament teams including the reigning 2008 national champion, Maryland Terrapins as the Blue Hens' 2009 schedule was released Wed.

Delaware, which will be led by 17th-year head coach Carol Miler, opens its season on Aug. 29, competing once again in the Champions Challenge Tournament hosted this year by Duke. The Hens will take on 2008 NCAA quarterfinalist Michigan State following the action between Duke and Louisville. Depending on the outcome of both games, Delaware will face either Duke (also an NCAA quarterfinalist who was ousted by the eventual champion, Maryland) or NCAA first-round qualifier Louisville.

Louisville hosted the tournament last year as Delaware lost two very competitve games to then No. 10-ranked Michigan State and No. 12-ranked Duke. A second-half rally by the Blue Hens came up just short as they fell to MSU 3-2, and then they could just not generate any offense as they dropped a 2-0 decision against Duke.

After the tournament, Delaware opens the home season with its first ever meeting with Brown University on Sept. 6. The Hens go on to host the Big East's Rutgers on Sept. 11, then they face the Atlantic 10's Saint Joseph's on Sept. 12 and Temple Sept. 18.

Then Delaware ends the non-conference games to start the season with a home re-match against California-Berkley on Sept. 20. Last year the Hens dropped a close 2-0 decision to the Golden Bears at a neutral site in Richmond, Va.

The Blue Hens begin Colonial Athletic Association play on Sept. 25 as they face Virginia Commonwealth on the road. They stay in Virginia to take on NCAA Tournament first-round qualifier James Madison on Sept. 27. The Hens then come home to take on Old Dominion and William & Mary on back-to-back days, Oct. 2-3.

Following Delaware's game against the Tribe, the Hens have a week off before they travel to Boston to take on Northeastern on Oct. 11. Then they host two more non-conference opponents in the Northeast Conference's Monmouth and the reigning national champion, Maryland. Last year, Delaware fell to the Terps, 7-0 in College Park.

Delaware wraps up the conference schedule after Maryland with games against Towson (Oct. 23), Hofstra (Oct. 30) and Drexel (Nov. 1). Should they qualify for play-off competition, the CAA Championships will take place on Nov. 5-8 at a site to be determined.

The Blue Hens, who went 3-15 (2-6 CAA) and finished seventh in the conference last season, return four of their top-five goal scorers, including the team's leading scorer, Alexis Esbitt (at right). Also returning after sitting out all of last season with an ankle injury is All-American candidate Casey Howard. The 2009 season looks promising as the Hens graduated just four seniors from last year's roster.

AGATE:

Aug. 22 at American (Scrimmage) 1 p.m.; Aug. 29 vs. Michigan State (at Duke Tournament) 2 p.m.; Aug. 30 2nd game at Duke Tournament 11:30 or 2 p.m.; Sept. 6 vs. Brown University 1 p.m.; Sept. 11 vs. Rutgers 3 p.m.; Sept. 12 at Saint Joseph's 2 p.m.; Sept. 18 vs. Temple 7 p.m.; Sept. 20 vs. California-Berkley 1 p.m.; Sept. 25 at VCU 6 p.m.; Sept. 27 at James Madison 1 p.m.; Oct. 2 vs. Old Dominion 7 p.m.; Oct. 3 vs. William & Mary 7 p.m.; Oct. 11 at Northeastern 2 p.m.; Oct. 16 vs. Monmouth 7 p.m.; Oct. 18 vs. Maryland 1 p.m.; Oct. 23 vs. Towson 7 p.m.; Oct. 30 Hofstra 7 p.m.; Nov. 1 Drexel 1 p.m.; Nov. 5-8 CAA Championships.