University of Delaware Athletics
Three Blue Hens Named to CAA Preseason Team, Field Hockey Picked Second in Preseason Poll
8/16/2021 2:01:00 PM | Field Hockey
RICHMOND, Va. - Delaware field hockey, the defending conference tournament champions, were voted to finish second in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and had three players named to the 2021 Preseason All-CAA Team the league office announced Monday.
"As a team and program we enjoy competing for CAA Championships and represent the University of Delaware in the NCAA Tournament," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "For almost a decade we have done so by winning 12 CAA Championships and one NCAA National Championship. One things is key in order to become and remain a Top 15 program nationally, you have good players who together become great teams. Our Blue Hen field hockey CAA preseason honorees, all understand what it takes and are willing to make the commitment to contribute to the success of their team and program while representing the University of Delaware in a first class manner."
Fifth-year senior Femke Strien added another accolade to her long list of accomplishments and was voted 2021 CAA Preseason Player of the Year. Last season Strien earned several honors including NFHCA Division I Second Team All-American, Synapse Sports Division I Second Team All-American, NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region First Team, CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, CAA All-Tournament Team, All-CAA First Team, and was twice named CAA Player of the Week.Â
"As a program we talk about 'Earned Never Given', and know Femke being the CAA Preseason Player of the Year is something she earned based on her performance and ongoing improvements as a player and leader on our team the past couple of seasons. We are excited of the CAA's recognition here, but Femke and this team are all about team accomplishments. Femke is humble and although she enjoys the recognition, she rather focuses on her next hockey moment than about her past accomplishments."
Teammate Julia Duffhuis, the 2020 CAA Rookie of the Year, earned a spot on the 2021 Preseason All-CAA Team. During the 2021 spring season, Duffhuis was named to the All-CAA Rookie Team, All-CAA Second Team, and NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic All-Region First Team. The sophomore led the Blue Hens with five goals, two of which were game-winners, and was third on the team with 10 points.Â
Junior Ashlyn Carr is the third Blue Hen tabbed to the conference preseason team. Carr was named to the NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic All-Region First Team and All-CAA First Team last season. The midfielder led the team in assists (7) and points (13).Â
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Sophomore Berber Bakermans and senior Grace Hoepfner received honorable mentions. Both Bakermans and Hoepfner earned spots on the CAA All-Tournament Team during the spring season. Bakermans was also a member of the CAA All-Rookie Team.Â
"Also exited for Ashlyn, Julia, Berber, Grace and Femke and their naming to the CAA All Preseason Team or Honorable Mention squad. Our program is looking forward to welcoming their experience, effort and leadership as consistent members of our Game Day Rotation Roster this fall."
Delaware received a pair of first-place votes to finish with 31 points, three points behind preseason favorite James Madison in the voting.
The Blue Hens host Lafayette College in an exhibition match Thursday, Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. Delaware opens the season on the road at Old Dominion University Friday, Aug. 27.Â
2021 CAA Field Hockey Preseason Poll
(#) = First-place votes
"As a team and program we enjoy competing for CAA Championships and represent the University of Delaware in the NCAA Tournament," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "For almost a decade we have done so by winning 12 CAA Championships and one NCAA National Championship. One things is key in order to become and remain a Top 15 program nationally, you have good players who together become great teams. Our Blue Hen field hockey CAA preseason honorees, all understand what it takes and are willing to make the commitment to contribute to the success of their team and program while representing the University of Delaware in a first class manner."
Fifth-year senior Femke Strien added another accolade to her long list of accomplishments and was voted 2021 CAA Preseason Player of the Year. Last season Strien earned several honors including NFHCA Division I Second Team All-American, Synapse Sports Division I Second Team All-American, NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region First Team, CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, CAA All-Tournament Team, All-CAA First Team, and was twice named CAA Player of the Week.Â
"As a program we talk about 'Earned Never Given', and know Femke being the CAA Preseason Player of the Year is something she earned based on her performance and ongoing improvements as a player and leader on our team the past couple of seasons. We are excited of the CAA's recognition here, but Femke and this team are all about team accomplishments. Femke is humble and although she enjoys the recognition, she rather focuses on her next hockey moment than about her past accomplishments."
Teammate Julia Duffhuis, the 2020 CAA Rookie of the Year, earned a spot on the 2021 Preseason All-CAA Team. During the 2021 spring season, Duffhuis was named to the All-CAA Rookie Team, All-CAA Second Team, and NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic All-Region First Team. The sophomore led the Blue Hens with five goals, two of which were game-winners, and was third on the team with 10 points.Â
Junior Ashlyn Carr is the third Blue Hen tabbed to the conference preseason team. Carr was named to the NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic All-Region First Team and All-CAA First Team last season. The midfielder led the team in assists (7) and points (13).Â
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Sophomore Berber Bakermans and senior Grace Hoepfner received honorable mentions. Both Bakermans and Hoepfner earned spots on the CAA All-Tournament Team during the spring season. Bakermans was also a member of the CAA All-Rookie Team.Â
"Also exited for Ashlyn, Julia, Berber, Grace and Femke and their naming to the CAA All Preseason Team or Honorable Mention squad. Our program is looking forward to welcoming their experience, effort and leadership as consistent members of our Game Day Rotation Roster this fall."
Delaware received a pair of first-place votes to finish with 31 points, three points behind preseason favorite James Madison in the voting.
The Blue Hens host Lafayette College in an exhibition match Thursday, Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. Delaware opens the season on the road at Old Dominion University Friday, Aug. 27.Â
2021 CAA Field Hockey Preseason Poll
| 1. James Madison (4) | 34 |
| 2. Delaware (2) | 31 |
| 3. William and Mary | 26 |
| 4. Drexel | 19 |
| 5. Northeastern (1) | 15 |
| T6. Hofstra | 11 |
| T6. Towson | 11 |
(#) = First-place votes
Players Mentioned
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/ Field HockeyField Hockey vs Lafayette
Monday, October 27
Field Hockey vs American
Tuesday, October 21
Field Hockey vs Old Dominion
Tuesday, October 14
Field Hockey vs Ohio State
Tuesday, September 23
