NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware athletics family was saddened Tuesday with news that former Blue Hen women’s lacrosse player Tracy Hottenstein died Sunday near Sea Isle City, N.J.

Hottenstein, 35, a native of Telford, Pa. who most recently lived in Conshohocken, Pa., was found dead at around 8 a.m. in the water in the Sea Isle City Marina Sunday. The cause of her death is being investigated.

Authorities say she was in Sea Isle City for the annual Polar Bear Plunge, in which thousands come to jump into the Atlantic Ocean. Police are still investigating how Hottenstein died. It is unclear if she took part in the Polar Bear Plunge.

Hottenstein was a standout at Souderton (Pa.) High School where she led her teams to consecutive Suburban One league championships in 1990 and 1991. A three-year letterwinner, she served as captain as a senior when she also was named to the Suburban One first team all-star team. She also won the team’s Most Dedicated Player Award.

She played for two seasons at the University of Delaware for head coach Mary Beth Holder in 1992 and 1993. She played in 10 games as a backup defender in 1992 and recorded two groundballs appeared in four games and recorded one goal during the 1993 season. The 1992 team went 7-9 as a Division I independent, including an early season 11-10 win over No. 5 James Madison. The 1993 team posted a record of 6-11 and placed fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 2-4 mark.

She earned her degree in biology from Delaware in 1995 and most recently worked as a Senior Sales Specialist for Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

Her uncle, Dave Hottenstein, played basketball at Delaware in 1969-71, her father, Charles, played basketball at West Chester University, and her brother, Troy, was a standout basketball player at Princeton in 1987-91.

A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Franconia Mennonite Church, 613 Harleysville Pike (Rt. 113), Telford, Pa. A viewing will be held from 9 to 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to, Tracy Hottenstein Memorial Scholarship Fund, 705 Rt. 113, Souderton, Pa. 18964.