Aug. 20, 2007
RICHMOND, Va. -- The Old Dominion Lady Monarchs, who have captured 13 of the past 16 Colonial Athletic Association field hockey championships, have been picked by the league's nine coaches to win the crown again in 2007.
ODU received seven first-place votes and 63 total points to take the top spot in the poll. Defending conference champion James Madison gathered two first place votes and finished second with 56 points. Northeastern tallied 43 total points earning them third place, while Hofstra followed closely with 42 points to claim fourth. William & Mary was picked fifth in the poll, followed by Delaware, Drexel, Towson and VCU.
Old Dominion returns five starters from last year's 19-4 squad that went undefeated in league play for the second straight year. The Lady Monarchs are led by nine-time CAA Coach of the Year Beth Anders, who enters her 24th season as head coach at Old Dominion. Junior goalkeeper Kelly Driscoll (West Chester, Pa.) as well as returing leading scorers Jo Ann van Aswegen (Bloemfontein, South Africa), Sami McLenegan (Middletown, Pa.), and Katelyn Smither (Suffolk, Va.) highlight the returnees for the Lady Monarchs this season. Driscoll was a first-team All-CAA selection last season, playing every minute in the cage for Old Dominion, recording 12 shutouts. Van Aswegen put away six goals and two asists as a junior. Both Smither and McLenegan were vitals parts of the Lady Monarch defense which at one point topped the nation a season ago. The Lady Monarchs also welcome back sophomore forward Titia Beek (Heiloo, Holland), a CAA All-Rookie team selection in 2006.
James Madison returns eight starters from last year's team that upset Old Dominion in the CAA Championship. Sophomore Meghan Bain, a CAA first-team selection last season, and junior Melissa Walls, a CAA second-team selection, will try to continue the success from last year's 15-8 campaign. They will be helped by CAA All-Rookie team member Tara King, a member of the defense that allowed only 32 goals last season.
Northeastern returns seven starters from a team that finished fifth in the CAA last season. The Huskies will be led by senior midfielder Ashley Webber, a first team All-CAA selection in 2006. Webber will be joined by CAA All-Rookie team member Suzanne Hazelzet. Head coach Cheryl Murtagh returns for her 20th season at the head of the Northeastern program.
Hofstra returns the second-leading scorer in the CAA a year ago in Charlia Warner. The junior scored twenty goals and added five assists a season ago, leading the Pride to a 13-7 record. Warner will be joined by CAA All-Rookie team member Reyna Farnum. The Pride is led by Kathy De Angelis, who is in her tenth season as head coach.
The CAA has traditionally been among the top field hockey conferences in the nation, ranking fourth in last year's final conference RPI rankings.
2007 CAA FIELD HOCKEY PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Old Dominion (7 first-place votes) 63
2. James Madison (2 first-place votes) 56
3. Northeastern 43
4. Hofstra 42
5. William & Mary 40
6. Delaware 35
7. Drexel 20
8. Towson 17
9. VCU 8