New Field Hockey Coach

[dchen]

Looks like all six of the original incoming class are on the roster. Three additional high school recruits have been added to the roster as well. We only have two goal keepers so I would expect we might add another GK.

The GKs are Grad student from NE with a lot of experience ( including beating us last year) and a freshman.

[bluehenbillk]

It’s a crying shame that UD didn’t find a conference for the Lady Hens this year - effectively almost killing their postseason chances before the season starts.

6 weeks from the season starting and not even a schedule….

[TimD]

It’s a crying shame that UD didn’t find a conference for the Lady Hens this year - effectively almost killing their postseason chances before the season starts.

6 weeks from the season starting and not even a schedule….

They're clearly a victim of their own success. No conference is going to be enthusiastic about bringing in an affiliate member that dominates from day one.

[Hengrad07]

It’s a crying shame that UD didn’t find a conference for the Lady Hens this year - effectively almost killing their postseason chances before the season starts.

6 weeks from the season starting and not even a schedule….

They're clearly a victim of their own success. No conference is going to be enthusiastic about bringing in an affiliate member that dominates from day one.

Totally Agree! As an independent, they might be able to lose a few games (<4) & get an NCAA At-Large bid!

Is Ohio Leaving the MAC?

If they move to the Sunbelt (NO FH); does the MAC kick them out for all other sports not in the Sunbelt & open up a spot for UD?

[Udforever1]

Transfer from Ship. Was PSAC 3rd team.

https://x.com/Delaware_FH/status/1943740132747628594

[Hengrad07]

Transfer from Ship. Was PSAC 3rd team.

https://x.com/Delaware_FH/status/1943740132747628594

Nice pick up! - 2 years left, if she wants to play out redshirt season.

https://shipraiders.com/sports/field-hockey/stats/2024

[dchen]

It’s a crying shame that UD didn’t find a conference for the Lady Hens this year - effectively almost killing their postseason chances before the season starts.

6 weeks from the season starting and not even a schedule….

They're clearly a victim of their own success. No conference is going to be enthusiastic about bringing in an affiliate member that dominates from day one.

Depends how you sell it: New coach, 12-10 record in 2024, rebuilding roster. Sounds like easy pickings in a new conference. Don’t say: National championship credentialed coach or NCAA tournament 2nd round in 2024.

[dchen]

UMass has left the A10 for MAC field hockey leaving the A10 with 7 teams including Lock Haven who we are playing this year, as an associate member. We would seem to be the logical replacement for UMass. I wonder why that hasn’t happened.

Edit: Found another game for 08/31 and another on 8/29.
Here is what I see on opponents’ websites:

8/25 v Villanova (exhibition)
8/29 v Temple
8/31 v California
9/5 at Penn State
9/12 v Kent
9/14 v Bucknell
9/19 v Northwestern
9/22 at Loch Haven
9/24 at St. Joes
9/28 v Ohio State
10/3 at Towson
10/5 at Drexel
10/12 at Wake
10/19 v ODU
10/26 v American
11/2 at Penn

I likely missed some dates as I had to guess who might be on the schedule. September looks brutal but maybe that is a consequence of not being in a conference. You have to get the opponents’ OOC dates when available.

[UDHoops]

Great work

[Jaxhen1]

UMass has left the A10 for MAC field hockey leaving the A10 with 7 teams including, Lock Haven who we are playing this year, as an associate member. We would seem to be the logical replacement for UMass. I wonder why that hasn’t happened.

Here is what I see on opponents’ websites:

8/25 v Villanova (exhibition)

9/5 at Penn State
9/12 v Kent
9/14 v Bucknell
9/19 v Northwestern
9/22 at Loch Haven
9/24 at St. Joes
9/28 v Ohio State
10/3 at Towson
10/5 at Drexel
10/12 at Wake
10/19 v ODU
10/26 v American
11/2 at Penn

I likely missed some dates as I had to guess who might be on the schedule. September looks brutal but maybe that is a consequence of not being in a conference. You have to get the opponents’ OOC dates when available.

That’s a formidable schedule with the 2024 defending national champion #1 Northwestern (home), #3 St. Joseph’s (away), #15 Ohio State (home), #16 Drexel (away), #18 Penn State (away), #26 Wake Forest (away), #27 Old Dominion (home), #28 Temple (home), and #32 California (home).

[Info Hound]

With a strength of schedule like that, a strong performance would certainly lead to consideration for an at large NCAA bid.

[dchen]

Great work

I just added one more so there are 14 games. Last year they had about 18 regular season games so there may be more that I haven’t found yet. And just found another. Temple on 8/29 so now 15 games.

[UDFootballFan]

Interesting - a month or so before the normal first game and no schedule or tickets avail. All other fall sports has tickets avail for purchase.

What is really going on with this program. Did Rolf see the writing on the wall and just leave them?

[dchen]

Interesting - a month or so before the normal first game and no schedule or tickets avail. All other fall sports has tickets avail for purchase.

What is really going on with this program. Did Rolf see the writing on the wall and just leave them?

I’m thinking they are still working on adding a game or two which may be hard given all are OOC games for the opponents. I agree though that the loss of a conference affiliation may have influenced Rolf’s decision. So far, I think it’s a great schedule. Our Philly neighbors have really stepped up to help us out.

[Sally in RI]

I don't think the website has been properly updated. The first schedule button I clicked took me to 2024. Then I opened the FH page and then clicked the schedule button and it went to 2025.

I do have concern about TV coverage for women's sports. I enjoyed watching FLO for those and I hope that is not in the past.

Sally in RI