NEWARK, DE -- University of Delaware field hockey players Casey Howard, Kaili Kao, Lindsey Piester, and Dusti Vanderwende were named to the 2005 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division I National Academic Squad this week.

Howard (Camden, DE/Caesar Rodney), -at right- an education major with a 3.361 grade point average, started all 19 games as a freshman for the Blue Hens and was named to the Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie Team. She ranked second on the team with seven goals and third with 16 points while adding two assists, and led Delaware with three game-winning goals on the year. Howard scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, in the 3-2 win over Pacific in her collegiate debut, and also had two goals in the 5-1 victory over Stanford. She had a goal and an assist in the 3-0 win over La Salle in the Blue Hens’ season finale, and also scored against Lafayette and Hofstra.

Kao (State College, PA/State College), a junior who has a 3.819 grade point average as an international relations major with a minor in buisness, appeared in all but one game while making nine starts in the fall. She scored three goals and added an assist to finish with seven points this season, scoring goals against Stanford, Old Dominion and James Madison.

Piester (Fredericksburg, VA/Stafford), a junior who has a 3.342 grade point average as a business administration major with minors in Spanish and international buisness, appeared in all 19 games this fall while making 16 starts. She scored the Blue Hens’ only goal on a penalty shot in the game at Saint Joseph’s.

Vanderwende (Greenwood, DE/Woodbridge), a junior who is an animal science major with a 3.592 grade point average, appeared in six games this season for the Blue Hens but did not record any statistics.

All four players were named to the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll in the fall. Delaware went 8-11 in 2005 and was 2-6 in conference play.