Blue Hens Headed to the CAA Final

Thursday, April 22

Newark, DE

4 pm

University of Delaware

(5-3)

William & Mary

(3-2)

W&M

Photo by: Mark Campbell

4/22/2021 6:44:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Game Photo Gallery

NEWARK, Del. - The Delaware field hockey team heads to the CAA Championship final for the eighth straight season after beating William & Mary, 1-0.

The Blue Hens lone goal came in the 55^th minute off of a penalty corner play. Grace Hoepfner deflected a shot from Femke Strien and Emily Kresho for the game winner that sent the Blue Hens to the final.

"It wasn't a pretty win, but we'll take it! It sums up what playoffs is all about, the team has to find a way to advance," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "I would like to give compliments to William & Mary's defense and goaltending for handling 11 quality shots on goal."

Delaware recorded 11 shots on goal to just four for William & Mary. The Blue Hens also earned six corners while the Tribe had three.

"Looking back, we made things more difficult for ourselves by not doing the simple things all throughout the game," continued van de Kerkhof, "The good thing is that we are aware of our inconsistent performance and will make the adjustments needed moving forward."

Delaware will face-off with the top-seeded James Madison Dukes on Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m. Delaware and James Madison have met three times previously in the CAA Championship game when the teams both made three straight trips to the finals from 2014-16.

"As a team and program, we are excited to prepare for the CAA final on Saturday," said van de Kerkhof, "This team will be in the position to compete for the championship and punch a ticket to the NCAA Tournament."