Aug. 22, 2012
NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion University field hockey team is ranked No. 3 in the 2012 Penn Monto/NFHCA Division I Preseason Poll.
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 feature 11 match-ups this season against teams ranked in the NFHCA preseason Top-25.
Last week, the two-time defending CAA champions and winners of 15 CAA titles received six first-place votes and 48 points to earn the top spot in the preseason CAA poll.
The Lady Monarchs return several players who earned accolades in 2011. National Rookie of the Year Kelsey Smither is back for her sophomore campaign after scoring four goals and tallying 13 assists last season. Also returning is junior co-captain Kati Nearhouse, who was a second team All-American a year ago after scoring eight goals and registering five assists. Senior Maartje van Rijswijk ranked second on the team with nine goals while recording 10 assists in 2011. Redshirt junior co-captain Christy Longacre returns at back after earning All-CAA Tournament accolades and sophomore Lydia Velzian adds depth in the midfield after earning CAA All-Rookie honors a year ago when she scored five goals and added two assists.
ODU begins their 2012 campaign on Friday when they travel to No. 9 Penn State at 5 p.m. The Lady Monarchs then visit No. 25 American on Sunday in Washington, D.C. at 1 p.m.
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 Penn Monto/NFHCA Division I Preseason Poll
1. Maryland
2. North Carolina
3. Old Dominion
4. Princeton
5. Duke
6. Connecticut
7. Syracuse
8. Virginia
9. Penn State
10. Michigan
11. Stanford
12. Iowa
13. Wake Forest
14. Boston University
15. Ohio State
16. California
17. Boston College
18. New Hampshire
19. Albany
20. Northwestern
21. Northeastern
22. Maine
23. Louisville
24. Drexel
25. American