University of Delaware Athletics
2022 Field Hockey Roster
Grace Hoepfner
- Position:
- Back
- Height:
- 5-6
- Class:
- Fifth Year
- High School:
- Grafton
- Hometown:
- Yorktown, Va.
- Major:
- Exercise Science
HONORS/AWARDS
- 2022 CAA All-Tournament Team
- 2021 NFHCA Division I Scholar of Distinction
- 2021 CAA Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll
- 2021 NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad
- 2021 CAA Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll
- 2020 NFHCA Division I Scholar of Distinction
- 2020 NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad
- 2020 CAA Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll
- 2020 CAA All-Tournament Team
- 2020 NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic All-Region Second Team
- 2020 CAA Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll
- 2019 CAA All-Tournament Team
- 2019 NFHCA Division I Scholar of Distinction
- 2019 NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad
- 2019 CAA Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll
- 2019 CAA Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll
- 2018 ZAG Field Hockey/NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad
- 2018 CAA Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor Roll
Appeared and started in all 22 games … one of four athletes on the Blue Hens to appear and start in every game … scored goals against Harvard (Oct. 16), and Drexel (Nov. 6) … played a role in two defensive shutouts against VCU (Aug. 26), and Lehigh (Nov. 9) … was named to the CAA All-Tournament team ... Helped the Blue Hens to their 11th CAA Championship title and an NCAA tournament berth.
2021 SEASON
Started in all 22 games for the Blue Hens ... Fifth on the team with five goals ... Also dished out two assists ... Two of her goals came in NCAA Tournament Play ... Scored the Blue Hen's lone goal against No. 1 Rutgers in the NCAA First Round (Nov. 12) ... Helped lead the Blue Hens to their 10th CAA Championship title and an NCAA tournament berth.
2020 SEASON
Started all 10 games for the Blue Hens ... Second on the team in goals, with 4 (1 game-winner) ... Fourth on the team with 9 points (4 goals, 1 assist) ... Helped lead the Blue Hens to their ninth CAA Championship title and an NCAA tournament berth.
2019 SEASON
Started 19 of 20 games played ... Finished fifth for the Hens with 12 points and five goals ... Registered first career goal in 4-0 victory over American (Sept. 6) ... Tallied the game-winning goal at No. 25 Northeastern (Oct. 6) ... Collected a career-high two goals in win at Hofstra (Oct. 25) ... Team SAAC representative alongside senior Sarah Horgan and junior Ellie Schepens.
2018 SEASON
Appeared in 14 games as a freshman for the Blue Hens ... Made collegiate debut in season-opening win at No. 24 Ohio State (Aug. 24) ... Posted a shot on goal against Drexel (Sept. 28).
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Three-year varsity starter for the field hockey team under head coach Brooke Feiner ... Helped guide the Clippers to the 2016 district championship and a state finals appearance as a junior ... Finished career with 72 goals and 32 assists ... Earned First Team All-State and Second Team All Mid-Atlantic accolades as a senior after posting 21 goals and 13 assists ... Four-time All-Conference honoree ... Three-time All-Region selection ... GHS Hustle Award ... Received the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Female Student-Athlete Achievement Award, which acknowledges those who excel in academic, athletics and community service ... Also a member of the varsity track & field team under head coach Steven Nichols ... Holds school record for the girl's triple jump ... Received All A Honor Roll accolades sophomore through senior year ... Earned Highest Honors and completed AP classes all four years ... Co-President of the Special Olympics Club ... Member of the Focus Field Hockey Club from 2014-18.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Shelia and Michael Hoepfner ... Father is a retired Air Force F16 and F22 pilot who currently consults on F35 tactics ... Father swam for a season at the Air Force Academy ... Has three brothers, Charles, Anthony and Vincent ... Grandfather, Tom Hoepfner, played baseball for the Naval Academy and was drafted by the New York Giants baseball team before training for Naval service ... Passionate supporter and coach for Special Olympics ... Elite competitive gymnast for seven years; won multiple state championships ... Enjoys cooking and playing with dogs.
COACH VAN DE KERKHOF SAYS
"Grace was a key factor in putting herself and her Grafton HS team on the field hockey map. She knows the only way to earn your achievements is through hard work; as proven by helping her team twice to playoff appearances following a multiple-year drought, which culminating in a league championship as a senior."
WHY DELAWARE?
"I chose Delaware because it provides the perfect balance of everything I was looking for. I value the strong academic program, the field hockey team’s three-pillar system and coaching staff, and the countless opportunities the school has to offer, especially since UD is situated near multiple major cities."
