University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Return to No. 8 in NFHCA Poll
11/8/2016 1:10:00 PM | Field Hockey
NFHCA Poll
CHANDLER, Ariz. – With their fourth straight CAA title and a 15-game winning streak in hand, the University of Delaware moved up one spot to No. 8 in this week's Penn Monto/NFHCA Division I Coaches Poll.
Ranked at No. 9 in the past two weeks, the Blue Hens return to the eighth slot, where they were slated for the week of October 18.
Delaware earned its fourth consecutive berth into the NCAA Tournament this past Sunday after defeating then-No. 20 James Madison, 4-1, in the league's title match.
The Blue Hens switched spots with their upcoming NCAA First Round opponent, Louisville, which dropped to No. 9 in this week's poll.
UD is currently second nationally with a 90.5 winning percentage (19-2) and is the only team besides No. 6 UConn (20-1; .952) to reach at least 19 wins on the year. The Hens also rank second nationally with a scoring margin of 2.66 and third overall with 4.29 goals per game, 11.81 points per and 3.24 assists per.
Duke (15-3) collected 680 points and 25 first place votes to remain at No. 1 in the poll this week. Maryland (17-4; 605 points) moved up one spot to No. 2 while Syracuse (14-3; 594 points; one first place vote) slid a position to No. 3. No. 4 North Carolina (17-5; 590 points) and No. 5 Penn State (17-2; 583 points; four first place votes) were each up a spot.
The NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship begins with Play-In contests on Wednesday and continues with first and second round action this weekend. Delaware will face Louisville at 2 p.m. Saturday at Duke University's Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium. The winner of Saturday's second contest will take on the victor of the 11:30 a.m. game between No. 1 Duke (15-3) and either American (13-6) or Kent State (14-6), who play in Wednesday's Play-In game.
MEDIA CONTACT: Maggie Hayon, Assistant Sports Information Director | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 302-379-9182
