Aug. 18, 2009
Richmond, Va. - The Old Dominion field hockey team was picked to win the 2009 CAA field hockey title in a vote of the league's nine head coaches Tuesday. The Lady Monarchs received six first-place votes and 62 total points, edging out second-place James Madison.
The Dukes picked up three first-place votes and 58 total points. Drexel tallied 50 points for third place and William & Mary received 41 points for fourth. Hofstra claimed fifth place with 29 points, while Delaware (27 points) and Northeastern (25) were chosen sixth and seventh, respectively. Towson and VCU were tied for eighth with 16 points apiece.
Old Dominion returns 10 starters from last year's team that finished 6-2 in CAA play. The Lady Monarchs are led by senior midfielder Kathleen Shea, who finished the 2008 season with five goals and was a first-team all CAA selection. Goalkeeper Kelly Driscoll returns for her senior season after leading the CAA with 7.3 saves per game and posting four shutouts a year ago. Loran Hatch will look to build off a solid sophomore season where she scored five goals.
The CAA has traditionally been one of the top field hockey conferences in the nation, with three teams finishing in the top 20 of the NCAA RPI last season.
2009 CAA FIELD HOCKEY PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Old Dominion (6 first-place votes)62
2. James Madison (3 first-place votes)58
3. Drexel50
4. William & Mary41
5. Hofstra29
6. Delaware27
7. Northeastern25
8. Towson16
9. VCU16
-ODU-