University of Delaware Athletics
Peet Tabbed CAA Preseason Player of the Year; Hens Slated to Finish Atop League Standings
8/12/2015 2:45:00 PM | Field Hockey
CAA RELEASE
RICHMOND, Va. – Following back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association titles, the University of Delaware field hockey squad was predicted to lead the conference once again in 2015 as determined in a preseason poll by the league's head coaches. Additionally, All-American Esmée Peet (Zeewolde, The Netherlands/RSG Slingerbos) was selected as the 2015 Preseason Player of the Year for the second straight season.
Delaware garnered 33 points and a league-high three first-place votes to atop the preseason poll. Last season, the Blue Hens became the first league team to win back-to-back titles since 2011 and finished the year with an overall record of 13-9.
Rolf van de KerkhofPeet, a two-time All-CAA First Team honoree, posted 27 points with 11 goals just a season ago and has logged 59 career points on 24 goals and 11 assists entering her third campaign at UD. The junior is a two-time NFHCA Regional First Team selection who garnered the NFHCA Second Team All-American nod last year.
“Congrats to Esmée with her nomination of CAA Preseason Player of the Year,” Van de Kerkhof commented. “I fully agree with the other CAA coaches that Esmée is one of the top players in the league. As a program, we are very excited that Esmée is a Blue Hen and that she continues to improve as a player and leader on our team. Her on-field performance allows the players around her to further elevate their games as well.”
Senior Michaela Patzner (Rosenheim, Germany/Karolinen Gymnasium) joined Peet on the All-CAA Preseason Team while classmate Allie Mikelson (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus), junior Meghan Winesett (Centreville, Va./Westfield) and sophomore Taylor Lister (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) garnered honorable mention accolades.
Patzner led Delaware in 2014 with 33 points on 12 goals and nine assists. The three-time All-CAA honoree and one-time All-American is currently 10th all-time in Blue Hens history with 90 career points and tied for seventh overall with 20 career assists. Additionally, she is tied for 10th with 35 career goals in a UD uniform.
The 2014 CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Performer, Mikelson also garnered NFHCA Regional honors last season. The midfielder set a school record and finished second in the NCAA division I rankings with 10 defensive saves. She has tallied 23 career points on six goals and 11 assists.
A two-time All-CAA selection, Winesett is third on the active career scoring list with 46 points on 16 goals and 14 assists.
Lister collected CAA All-Rookie Team praises following a freshman campaign in 2014 in which she started all 22 games for the Hens.
James Madison collected two first place votes to finish second with 30 points. Northeastern was third in the poll with 25 points while William & Mary followed in fourth with 20 points. Each school received one first place vote. Drexel picked up 116 points to round out the top five. Hofstra and Towson followed in order for sixth and seventh place with 15 and six points, respectively.
Delaware hosts Saint Joseph's on Monday, August 17 in the team's lone exhibition contest of the season before opening the 2015 schedule on Friday, August 28 at Central Michigan.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Maggie Hayon | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 920-912-6635
