Lady Monarchs Selected to Repeat as CAA Field Hockey Champions

Aug. 17, 2012

RICHMOND, Va. – The Old Dominion University field hockey team has been tabbed as the favorite in 2012 to finish atop the standings in the Colonial Athletic Association, according to a vote by the league’s head coaches released on Friday.

The two-time defending champions and winners of 15 CAA titles received six first-place votes and 48 points to earn the top spot in the poll. Northeastern, which earned the other two first-place votes, and Drexel finished in a tie for second place with 40 points. James Madison was selected fourth by totaling 28 points, just edging out Delaware, which collected 27 points. Hofstra was chosen sixth in the poll, with William & Mary and Towson rounding out the list.

ODU looks to build off a stellar 22-3 campaign in 2011 that included a No. 1 national ranking during the regular season and a trip to the NCAA Field Hockey Final Four. The Lady Monarchs return four players who earned postseason honors in 2011. CAA Rookie of the Year Kelsey Smither is back for her sophomore campaign after scoring four goals and tallying 13 assists last season. Also returning are senior Maartje van Rijswijk and junior co-captain Kati Nearhouse, who both earned All-CAA second team honors last season. van Rijswijk ranked second on the team with nine goals while recording 10 assists in 2011.

Northeastern returns four starters from last year’s squad that finished 14-8 and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament. Senior Crystal Poland, a first-team All-America honoree, will lead the front line for the Huskies after scoring 27 goals last season. Anchoring the defense will be senior goalkeeper Lizzie Priest, who was named first team All-CAA in 2011 after collecting a league-leading 148 saves and compiling a 1.96 goals against average. 

Drexel looks to make a big leap in 2012 after finishing 3-5 in CAA play last year. Leading the Dragons will be senior midfielder Amanda Fleischut, who was named to the All-CAA first team in 2011 after leading the team with nine goals and 21 points. Drexel also returns sophomores Christina Conrad and Meghan Plank who were named to the CAA All-Rookie team last season. Conrad ranked third on the team with six goals and 16 points.

James Madison returns a pair of All-CAA selections from last season’s squad that finished 4-4 in conference play and reached the semifinals of the CAA tournament. First team All-CAA selection Jenna Taylor returns for her senior season after recording three goals and four assists last season. Also returning is CAA All-Rookie team selection Taylor West, who scored 6 goals and tallied 13 points in just three games last season.

The CAA has placed multiple teams in the 16-team NCAA Field Hockey Championship in three of the past five seasons. 

The NCAA Tournament First Round and Quarterfinal match-ups will take place on Nov 10-11 at sites to be determined. The 2012 NCAA Final Four will take place at the Powhatan Sports Complex in Norfolk on November 16 and 18. Ticket information can be found at ODUSports.com/tickets.

2012 CAA FIELD HOCKEY PRESEASON COACHES POLL