UD Head Coach Scott Grzenda, who will begin his 19th season at the helm this fall, welcomes the return of 16 letter winners and 10 starters from a 2007 team that went 8-10 overall and finished eighth in the CAA standings with a 4-7 mark.
Delaware, which has won eight or more games for nine straight seasons, will be looking to advance to the six-team CAA tournament for the first time since competing in the semifinals in 2005.
The top three picks in the conference were the College of William and Mary, James Madison University and Hofstra University, each of which advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division I championship tournament a year ago.
William and Mary received five first place votes and 112 points overall to become the pre-season favorite. James Madison was picked second with four first place votes and 111 points and Hofstra was third with three first place votes and 107 points.
Virginia Commonwealth was fourth, followed by UNC Wilmington, George Mason, Delaware, Old Dominion, Northeastern, Georgia State, Towson and Drexel.
The Fightin' Blue Hens return their top two scorers in second team All-CAA picks Amy Pickard (eight goals) and Caitlyn Germain (seven goals). Also back are starting forward Melissa Kilker, midfielders Kasie Shover and Jamie Flynn, defenders Dana Rodgers, Megan Hanley, Erin Lensky and Megan Delaney, and goalkeeper Annie Bevan. Returning are veterans Jess Bendzlowicz, who missed all of last season with an injury, and Alli D'Amico, who missed all but three games a year ago with an injury.
Delaware, which will open pre-season practice Aug. 14, will begin the 2008 regular season Aug. 29-30 when the team hosts St. John's, Lafayette and Towson in the Blue Hen Classic tournament to be played at the Delaware Mini-Stadium.
For more information on UD athletics, see [www.udel.edu/sportsinfo].
Photo by Mark Campbell
