Field Hockey Earns Third Straight CAA Tournament Title

Sunday, November 7

Newark, DE

1 p.m.

University of Delaware

(12-8 (5-1))

James Madison

(12-7 (6-0))

JMU

Delaware

Photo by: Mark Campbell

Field Hockey Earns Third Straight CAA Tournament Title

11/7/2021 3:55:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

NEWARK, Del. - The No. 22 Delaware field hockey team (12-8, 5-1 CAA) earned its third straight CAA Tournament title and eighth in nine seasons after defeating No. 24 James Madison (12-7, 6-0 CAA), 3-1, Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Blue Hens earn an automatic bid to the 2021 NCAA Division I Field Hockey Tournament.

"What a beautiful performance and focused Delaware field hockey today," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "I think from start to finish we were in control. We needed to find the groove a little bit which makes sense in the championship game. Kudos to our players group for staying the course. We played our best hockey of the season so far, maybe all of 2021 today. We have gotten stronger and gained more confidence, but we are also more relaxed. We've come a long way and I think now we are a hard team to beat."

On a crisp fall afternoon with over 500 fans roaring in Fred P. Rullo Stadium, the game started off with high energy, both teams going head-to-head. The first period ended scoreless with Delaware taking seven shots to James Madison's one. The Blue Hens had a 5-1 advantage in penalty corners.

Just under two minutes in the second period, Kiki Oudshoorn received a long pass up the middle, sprinting into the circle. She took the Dukes' goalkeeper, Florien Marcussen, one-on-one smacking the ball into the back of the net for the Blue Hen's first goal.

Delaware closed out the first half on a goal by Morgan Rigual, after tipping in a pass from Oudshoorn. This marked Rigual's third goal of the tournament, after scoring two against William & Mary in the semifinal Friday.

In the ninth minute of the third period, Ashlyn Carr turned around in the circle, drilling a shot from the left side into the back of the net, giving the Blue Hens a 3-0 lead.

James Madison's Eveline Zwager put James Madison on the board at the end of the third quarter, driving a shot in on a tough angle making the game, 3-1.

Goalkeeper Lizzie Gaebel made six saves in the fourth quarter, preventing the Dukes from scoring again, to secure the win for the Blue Hens. Gaebel tied her season-high eight saves in the win.

Oudshoorn, Carr and Gaebel earned CAA All-Tournament nods, while Defensive Player of the Year Julia Duffhuis earned the tournaments' Most Outstanding Player award.

Earning their third straight trip to the NCAA tournament, the Blue Hens find out tonight at 10 p.m. during the Selection Show who they will face in the opening round. Click HERE to watch the Selection Show.

The 2021 championship field will consist of 18 teams with the tournament running from Nov. 10 through Nov. 21. The semifinals and finals will be held in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

2021 CAA Field Hockey All-Tournament Team

Julia Duffhuis, Delaware (Most Outstanding Player)
Ashlyn Carr, Delaware
Lizzie Gaebel, Delaware
Kiki Oudshoorn, Delaware
Florien Marcussen, James Madison
Diede Remijnse, James Madison
Eveline Zwager, James Madison
Cailin Hart, Northeastern
Erin Savage, Northeastern
Maddie George, William & Mary
Cara Menges, William & Mary

For the latest on the Delaware field hockey program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFH and Instagram @Delaware_FH and like "Delaware Field Hockey" on Facebook.