University of Delaware Athletics
Peet Tabbed CAA Preseason Player of the Year; Hens Slated to Finish Atop League Standings
8/19/2016 10:32:00 AM | Field Hockey
RICHMOND, Va. – For the third straight season, the University of Delaware was chosen as the CAA's preseason favorite while senior All-American Esmée Peet (Zeewolde, The Netherlands/RSG Slingerbos) collected preseason Player of the Year accolades, according to a vote by the league's seven head coaches.
The Blue Hens, who captured their third CAA title in as many seasons last fall, garnered four first place votes and 34 total points to lead all teams in the preseason poll. Delaware finished the 2015 campaign with an overall mark of 16-6, which included a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Rolf van de KerkhofPeet returns for her final college season as the only conference player to earn First Team All-America honors in 2015. A three-time All-CAA First Team honoree, Peet scored 15 goals as a junior and paced the Hens with 36 points overall. She is currently tied for ninth in program history with 95 career points and 39 career goals.
“I believe it is fair to say that Esmée has earned the respect of the league's head coaches as the CAA Preseason Player of the Year,” Van de Kerkhof remarked. “She has been an amazing player and teammates for the Blue Hens. She has contributed immensely to the team's success and although she is a two-time All-American and received numerous other individual awards, she remains very humble and team-first focused. We are excited to have Esmée on our team and together with a great and passionate players group, the Blue Hens are excited to start our 2016 season journey.”
Joining Peet as Preseason All-CAA selections are sophomores Lisa Giezeman (Leidschendam, The Netherlands/Sin-Maartens/Boerhaave) and Greta Nauck (Krefeld, Germany/Gymnasium am Moltekeplatz) while junior Emmeline Oltmans (Baarn, The Netherlands/Het Baarnsch Lyceum) garnered honorable mention accolades.
Both Giezeman and Nauck were Second Team Regional All-Americans and CAA All-Rookie Team picks a season ago after registering 11 goals apiece.
A mainstay in the goal for Delaware, Oltmans has started all 41 games during her two-year career. Entering the season, she is sixth in program history with a career 2.12 goals against average and 14th with 140 career saves.
James Madison grabbed 32 points and three first place votes to place second in the preseason poll while Hofstra was third with 24 points. Drexel (21) and Northeastern (19) ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, with William & Mary (10) and Towson (7) rounding out the poll.
The Blue Hens open the 2016 campaign with back-to-back contests against Ohio State at Rullo Stadium on August 27 and 28. The Buckeyes are led by Delaware Hall of Famer and All-American Anne Wilkinson '83.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Maggie Hayon | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 920-912-6635
