University of Delaware Athletics
Field Hockey is Set to Make Waves in 2023
8/24/2023 2:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
NEWARK, Del. – New Year. New Hens. The University of Delaware field hockey team is set to begin its 2023 season on Friday. Aug. 25 as the Blue & Gold take on VCU at 11:30 a.m. with a roster filled with fresh faces.
The 2023 iteration of Delaware field hockey features 11 new players with nine being first-years and two transfers. "I am proud of the way our new players have come in and been performing within our preseason thus far," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "It is clear our team and program are excited for the 2023 season and can't wait to get on the road for our opening weekend in Virginia." Despite the influx of new players, UD continues to be the model of success in the conference as the Blue Hens were selected atop the CAA Preseason Coaches Poll for the second season in a row.
Delaware comes off an up and down 2022 in which the Hens opened the season with a 1-8 record before turning the tide and winning 9 of their last 13 games. UD went 5-1 in CAA play down the stretch on their way to capturing the program's 12th CAA Championship and fourth in a row dating back to 2019.
The 2023 squad looks to build on its preseason successes and van de Kerkhof is confident his team will answer the call this season. "We have had an outstanding preseason," said van de Kerkhof. "Our players had a plan and purpose this summer, including conducting their own training camp with our support staff prior to preseason. The commitment they made to themselves and each other paid off from the start, laying the foundation for them being a united group and displaying a strong desire to compete and bring the effort."
Strength of schedule is always a staple for the Hens and this season is no different. Five of UD's opponents landed on the preseason Division I NFHCA Coaches Poll. ODU landed at No. 18 while UConn came in at No. 15. Princeton and Saint Joseph's landed at No. 10 and 11 with Penn State being the highest ranked opponent on the Hens schedule at No. 5 in the country.
The Hens look to All-American defender and reigning CAA Defensive Player of the Year Julia Duffhuis to lead the way on and off the field. The senior from Bergeijk, The Netherlands earned Preseason CAA Player of the Year honors after she led the Hens with 14 goals and 32 points last season. Berber Bakermans joined Duffhuis on the All-CAA Preseason team while Kiki Oudshoorn was named Honorable Mention.
Duffhuis was named an on-field captain for the Hens this season along with sophomore Emma Miller. The duo will also serve as members of Delaware field hockey's leadership team which will include Oudshoorn and juniors Morgan Bradford and Valentina Martorell. "These five young women have done, and continue to do, an amazing job leading as well as representing themselves and their teammates with the coaching and support staff," said van de Kerkhof.
With the leadership of the returning veterans and the energy of the fresh faces, the 2023 Blue Hens are poised to continue the program's legacy of success and make waves nationally this season.
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