The Fightin' Blue Hens, who posted an 8-10 record in 2007, lose just five seniors from last season's team. UD Head Coach Scott Grzenda, entering his 19th year at the helm, will welcome back the top two scorers in strikers Amy Pickard and Caitlyn Germain, who combined for 15 goals and six assists in 2007.
Delaware will open the 2008 season as host of the Blue Hen Classic tournament at the UD Mini-Stadium. The Blue Hens will take on Lafayette on Aug. 29 and Big East Conference contender St. John's on Aug. 31. They will then compete at the Navy Tournament, with matches against Central Connecticut State on Sept. 5 and Winthrop on Sept. 7.
The Blue Hens will travel to face Ivy League powerhouse Yale on Sept. 12 and Sacred Heart on Sept. 14. They will complete the nonconference schedule against St. Joseph's on Sept. 19.
UD will open CAA play on Sept. 26 with a road test against Hofstra, the defending conference champion. Hofstra went 18-4-0 a year ago, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The Blue Hens will have a three-game homestand, facing Northeastern on Sept. 28, an explosive William and Mary on Oct. 3 and Old Dominion on Oct. 5. William and Mary won the CAA regular season title and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2007.
UD will then travel to face James Madison on Oct. 10. The Dukes won 17 games and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament last season.
Delaware will face CAA tournament finalist Virginia Commonwealth on Oct. 12, then will return to the UD Mini-Stadium for matches against Towson on Oct. 17 and George Mason on Oct. 19.
The Blue Hens will close out the regular season with three consecutive road games, traveling to Georgia State on Oct. 24, the University of North Carolina Wilmington on Oct. 26 and Drexel on Oct. 30.
For more information on UD athletics, see [www.udel.edu/sportsinfo].
