NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion Field Hockey team and head coach Andrew Griffiths announced the program's 2023 schedule on Thursday.
"Challenges are what this team is ready for, and challenges are nothing new to us. Many of us on this team have been through a lot together. As I speak to the players, coaches and staff, I feel an anticipation and excitement to push ourselves and work towards another level of performance. There is expectation and a powerful drive, no fear, and readiness to take on whoever is in front of us," said Griffiths. "This comes from being together through a lot of tough moments, obstacles and disappointments. Many of this group started their college experience at the height of the COVID restrictions, and that group has stayed tight and together throughout all the changes and growth since. Many ups and downs since then. Last year, we went from the thrill of winning the Big East Regular Season Championship on our home field, to the heartbreak of losing the Conference Championship Game, also at ODU, just a week later. And after getting overlooked for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, this does nothing but add fuel to the fire. We are also adding an excellent group of players to the team, who have been selected because of their personal character as much as their ability on the field – team players."
"We also have many individual challenges to overcome. Right from the top, our captain and leader, Nicole, has had a tough hip surgery to overcome, missed the spring with the team, and is back and ready to lead the way forward (along with keeping up a 4.0 GPA!). There are numerous individual challenges, both on the field, and off, playing time, injuries and health, and I know from personal experience that the personal support for each other has been remarkably strong and impactful," said Griffiths.
"We have five weeks until we are all together for preseason, and we will be ready."
The 2022 Regular Season BIG EAST Champions will open the season at home on August 27 when they welcome the Delaware Blue Hens. The Monarchs defeated the Blue Hens last season in Newark, 5-1.
ODU will then hit the road and head to Michigan for the weekend, starting with a game at Central Michigan on Friday, Sept. 1. The matchup will be the first meeting for the two programs. On Sunday, Sept. 3, the Monarchs will be in Ann Arbor to take on the University of Michigan. Old Dominion leads the series 7-4 and the two teams last met in 2012.
The Monarchs will return home to take on Queens on Friday, Sept. 8. The two teams met for the first time last season which finished in Old Dominion's favor, 8-0.
On Sunday, Sept 10, ODU will welcome the 2022 National Champions in North Carolina. Two of the most decorated Field Hockey programs in NCAA history will meet again for the first time since 2019 when the Monarchs fell to the Tar Heels, 1-0 in Chapel Hill. The Monarchs trail the all-time series, 35-46-2.
Old Dominion will be back on the road Friday, Sept. 15 when they will travel to Liberty. The Monarchs and Flames met twice last season. ODU clinched the BIG EAST regular season Championship, defeating Liberty 1-0 after a penalty shootout. The Flames would then take ODU down in a rematch in the BIG EAST Conference Tournament Championship, 3-1. Liberty is ahead in the all-time series, 9-7.
ODU will travel to Duke on Sunday, Sept. 17 to take on the Blue Devils. The two teams were supposed to meet last season, but due to inclement weather had to postpone the game. The Monarchs lead the all-time series, 24-21 and the last matchup took place in 2021 which saw the Blue Devils coming out on top, 5-1.
The Monarchs will begin BIG EAST play on Friday, Sept 22 at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex against the Temple Owls. The Owls and Monarchs faced off two times last year. In the regular season, ODU defeated Temple 2-0 in Philadelphia. The two teams would meet again in the Conference Tournament semi-finals, where ODU defeated the Owls 4-3 in a penalty shootout. The Monarchs own a 28-4-1 lead in the all-time series.
On Sunday Sept. 24, William & Mary will make the trip to Norfolk. The teams met in 2022 to open the season as the Tribe prevailed in double overtime, 3-2. ODU leads the all-time series, 49-14.
ODU continues BIG EAST play on Friday, Sept. 29 at Providence. The Monarchs beat the Friars 7-0 last season at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex and have taken 12 of the previous 13 meetings with Providence.
On Friday, Oct. 6, the Monarchs welcome Georgetown to L.R. Hill. Last season, ODU defeated the Hoyas 2-0 in Washington, D.C. Old Dominion leads the all-time series, 8-1.
Old Dominion continues its homestand with a game against Hofstra on Sunday, Oct. 8. The last time the two programs met was in 2012 which saw the Monarchs winning 7-2. ODU leads the all-time series, 10-1.
The Monarchs hit the road to take on Villanova on Friday, Oct. 13. Last season, ODU defeated Villanova 4-0 at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex and the Monarchs lead the all-time series, 12-2.
Old Dominion will then return home on Sunday, Oct. 15 when they play host to the Richmond Spiders. Last season, ODU defeated Richmond 2-1 and currently lead the all-time series, 37-4.
On Friday Oct. 20, Quinnipiac will travel to Norfolk for a matchup with ODU. The Monarchs defeated the Bobcats 6-1 last season and lead the all-time series,8-1.
Old Dominion will travel to Harrisonburg on Sunday, Oct. 22 to take on James Madison. ODU met with the Dukes last season in Norfolk when the Monarchs won 6-1. Old Dominion leads the series, 56-13.
Old Dominion will finish up the regular season on the road at UConn on Friday, Oct. 27. Last season, the Huskies defeated ODU 2-1 in double overtime in Norfolk. The Monarchs lead the all-time series, 24-23.
The BIG EAST Tournament will take place on Friday, Nov. 3 and Sunday, Nov. 5 at Temple University.
"The team is excited about a strong and exciting schedule, with the addition of Michigan, and also getting UNC back on the schedule will add challenges. We have tough regular rivals, Delaware and JMU, who we had good results against in 2022, and will be out for revenge. It's all going to make us stronger. It will build us in preparation for Big East conference play, which is getting tougher itself. You can see the Big East getting a stronger profile in the rankings and this is exactly what we need to get at least two teams each year into the NCAA tournament," said Griffiths.