Aug. 11, 2004
RICHMOND, Va. (August 11, 2004) -- The Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs, winners of 12 of the last 13 CAA Tournaments including the last eight consecutive seasons, are picked to defend their title once again in 2004 according to a poll of the league's field hockey coaches.
ODU garnered six first-place votes and accumulated 48 points in the poll. William & Mary, which tied the Lady Monarchs for first place in the CAA last season at the conclusion of the regular season at 6-1, was picked second with 40 points. Delaware received the other two first-place votes and was close behind with 39 points after reaching the CAA championship game a year ago. James Madison was fourth, followed by Virginia Commonwealth, Hofstra, Towson and Drexel.
ODU, which was 14-10 overall and ranked 8th nationally in 2003, advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to national runner-up Duke. Legendary head coach Beth Anders, who has guided the Lady Monarchs to nine national titles, returns to the sidelines this season after taking time off to serve as head coach of the U.S. National Team. Seniors Lynn Farquhar (Alexandria, Va.) and Beth Maddox (Va. Beach, Va.) will guide a young team comprised of nine sophomores and seven freshmen. Also returing to the turf will be second-team All-CAA selection Janelle Engle (Mt. Joy, Pa.), who will anchor the ODU defense.
William & Mary was 12-6 overall last season and finished the year ranked #14 nationally. The Tribe lost their top three scorers, but all four starting midfielders are back. Three starters also return on defense, led by second-team All-CAA pick Anna Davis.
Delaware (14-7 overall) was ranked #17 in the final 2003 national poll and reached the CAA championship game for the first time. The Blue Hens return three of their top performers in third team All-America Jessi Balmer, first-team All-CAA pick Erica LaBar and CAA All-Tournament team selection Leah Geib.
Old Dominion begins the season on the road for their first six games of the season which will include match-ups with powerhouses Penn State, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, and Duke before returning to Foreman Field for their home opener against Richmond on September 24th.
2004 CAA FIELD HOCKEY PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL
1. Old Dominion (6 first-place votes) 48
2. William & Mary 40
3. Delaware (2 first-place votes) 39
4. James Madison 30
5. Virginia Commonwealth 24
6. Hofstra 20
7. Towson 12
8. Drexel 11
(Teams received 7 points for a first-place vote, 6 for second, etc. Coaches weren't allowed to vote for their own team.)