Sports Cipher

UD Lady Blue Hens Voted No. 5 in Pre-Season Coaches Poll

**File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

University of Delaware athletics is definitely on the come up. They’ve got so much talent that goes unnoticed, but not this year. Lady Blue Hens field hockey was awarded a No. 5 ranking in the Colonial Athletic Association Pre-Season Coaches Poll.

2012 Colonial Athletic Association Field Hockey Pre-Season Coaches Poll: 1. Old Dominion – 48 points (6 first place votes); 2. Northeastern – 40, Drexel – 40; 4. James Madison – 28; 5. Delaware – 27; 6. Hofstra – 20; 7. William & Mary – 14; 8. Towson – 7.

Last season, the Lady Blue Hens finished 4-4 in their conference and 9-11 overall. The other competitors in their conference are Northeastern, Hofstra, Towson, Drexel, VCU, William & Mary and James Madison. Yet the only team standing in their way is Old Dominion, two-time defending champion.

The team welcomes back seven starters including their top three scorers. Sophomore All-CAA defender Kelsey McKee had nine goals, junior forward Kasey Prettyman had six goals, and senior forward Tory Sharpless scored six goals on the season. In their second season under head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof, they are set to be the best in the CAA.

American East competition will grace the Blue Hens in their first two games. The season opener is next Friday, Aug. 24 the Blue Hens host Boston University 6 p.m. at Rullo Stadium. Up second, they will take on Albany at 1 p.m. on Aug. 26.

Season tickets are on sale now for just $30 for adults and just $20 for youths 17 and under and seniors 60 and older. Call 302-831-2257 or visit the UD Season Ticket Office in its new home at the Bob Carpenter Center to purchase tickets and get in on all the fun that the upcoming season has to offer.