University of Delaware Athletics
UD Punches Ticket to CAA Tournament (Oct. 29, 2011)
10/29/2011 2:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer
NEWARK, Del. –The Colonial Athletic Association holds six spots for the women's soccer tournament, and you can count the University of Delaware among those six.
After putting together one of its finest offensive and defensive performances of the season Friday night, the Hens snagged a spot in the Virginia 529 College Savings Plan CAA Tournament, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2005.
Delaware, now 9-6-3 and 5-3-2 in the league after its 4-0 rout of UNCW, clinched a spot with Virginia Commonwealth University's 2-0 win over James Madison Friday night.
“We are really excited to represent the University of Delaware at the CAA Championships,” said UD head coach, who will make his fourth appearance in the CAA tournament. “In a conference as competitive as the CAA, it's always special to make the postseason. However, our focus is on Drexel and winning our final home game for our seniors.”
The CAA Tournament will be played at Martin Family Stadium at Albert/Daly Field on the campus of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
Ticket prices, set by the conference, have been set at $5 for adults, $3 for youth (ages 2-17) and students with a valid ID from a participating institute can attend the games free of charge
The four-day, five-game tournament will kick off on Thursday, Nov. 3 as the three-seed takes on the No. 6 seed at 5 p.m. The second quarterfinal game will feature the four-seed against the five-seed at 7:30 p.m.
Awaiting the winners of the quarterfinals will be the top two seeds, ready to play on Friday night. The No. 2 seed, VCU, will face the winner of the No. 3/No. 6 match at 5 p.m. In the second semifinal, top-seeded William & Mary will draw the winner of the No. 4/No. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
After a day of rest, the championship game will pit the winner of each semifinal against each other. The CAA Championship match will be play on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m., with the winner earning the conference's automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA Division I tournament.
Only No. 23 William & Mary and VCU have clinched the top two seeds, respectively. Delaware, which was selected to finish 10th in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, could lock in the No. 3 seed with a win Sunday over rival Drexel.
The final seeding will be determined following Delaware's game on Sunday.
Delaware will compete in its fourth CAA tournament since joining the league in 2002 and first since the 2005 season. As a member of the America East/North Atlantic Conference, Delaware reached the league tournament seven times, including three straight championship appearances from 1994-96.
The Hens will celebrate senior day on Sunday when they host the Dragons. Prior to the 1 p.m. start, Delaware's four seniors, Stacie Dulkis, Amy Pickard, Breanna Stemler and Leigh Victory will be honored at Delaware Mini-Stadium.
