Field Hockey Earns Fourth-Straight CAA Tournament Championship

Sunday, November 6

Newark, Del.

1 PM

University of Delaware

(9-11)

Drexel University

(12-8)

DREXEL

Delaware

Photo by: Mark Campbell

Field Hockey Earns Fourth-Straight CAA Tournament Championship

11/6/2022 3:58:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. – No. 2 seed Delaware field hockey (9-11) won its fourth-straight Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Championship with a win over fourth seeded Drexel (12-8), 6-1, on Sunday at Rullo Stadium. With the win, the Blue Hens receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The selection show will take place Sunday at 10 p.m.

The victory Sunday marks the 10th total CAA Championship in program history and the ninth in the last 10 years.

"Congratulations to our field hockey team, program, and family. What an amazing team performance today. We played outstanding hockey on both sides of the ball, head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof said. "Our individual, team, and corner defense was solid and poised. Our team's outletting and scoring was beautiful and effective when needed. Having six different Blue Hen score goals highlights the kind of field hockey this team played in the CAA Championship."

"At our pre-game yesterday, I referred back to our regular season and shared with the player's group that they had been a 'special & stubborn team'. I also told them that in order to become more special, they had to let go of being stubborn. This coaching and support staff never doubted that this team could be a special one and as the season progressed a surprise to others. Kudos to our players for working through the challenges that came along during our 18 regular-season games. Looking back on our week of CAA tournament prep and execution, it is clear that each game during the August – October window allowed this team to learn a thing or two about themselves. The experiences gained and lessons learned have been beneficial and critical in how this team played its most two complete games in 2022, scoring 12 goals, advancing, and winning the CAA Conference Tournament for the 9^th time in 10 years. It is amazing to know that we had a 2-8 record after 10 games and are entering the NCAA tournament. We are excited to represent the University of Delaware in the NCAA National Championship Tournament this year, one that could be a special one for the Blue Hens," Van de Kerkhof said.

Senior Ashlyn Carr was named the CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Performer and was joined by teammates Julia Duffhuis, Grace Hoepfner, and Kiki Oudshoorn on the All-Tournament Team.

The Blue Hens were once again led by a strong offensive performance with six different players tallying goals. Delaware came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, scoring three goals in the first quarter. Oudshoorn got the Blue Hens on the board with a goal 33 seconds into the game. She was assisted by Berber Bakermans. Bakermans found Oudshoorn to the right post and snuck it by the Dragons' goalkeeper.

Noelle Sabbagh and Duffhuis added goals in the first quarter's 12th and 13th minutes, respectively - both of which were off penalty corners. Sabbagh's goal was unassisted and off a deflection. Duffhuis' goal was assisted by Carr and Bakermans. It was her fourth goal of the tournament.

The Blue Hens added three more goals in the third quarter. Carr received a pass from Lia Becker near the post and snuck it past the diving Dragons' goalkeeper in the 32nd minute. Becker received a pass from Oudshoorn and scored the goal in between the goalkeeper's legs later in the period. Hoepfner scored in the 33^rd minute off a deflected pass from Duffhuis. Bakermans was also credited with an assist.

On the day, the Blue Hens out shot the Dragons 24-14, including a 16-9 shots-on-goal advantage. Lizzie Gaebel was credited with the decision, making eight saves.

2022 CAA Field Hockey All-Tournament Team
Ashlyn Carr, Delaware (MOP)
Julia Duffhuis, Delaware
Grace Hoepfner, Delaware
Kiki Oudshoorn, Delaware
Liz Chipman, Drexel
Anna Getty, Drexel
Taylor Mason, Drexel
Phileine Hazen, Monmouth
Annick van Lange, Monmouth
Cailin Hart, Northeastern
Caroline Sweeney, Northeastern