RICHMOND, VA -- The University of Delaware field hockey team, looking to return to the form that saw the Blue Hens capture the 2004 Colonial Athletic Association title and advance to the NCAA Tournament, was picked No. 6 in the CAA Pre-Season Coaches Poll announced by the league office Thursday.

Old Dominion, which has captured 13 of the last 15 league titles, including the 2005 crown, was the overwhelming pick by the league coaches to win the title once again this fall. The Monarchs earned seven first place votes and 63 total points to outdistance 2005 runner-up Northeastern, which received two first place votes and 55 points. ODU returns nine starters from last year’s 19-6 squad while Northeastern returns 16 letterwinners from a team that went 16-6 in its first season in the CAA a year ago.

James Madison was picked No. 3 with 46 points followed by William & Mary (42), Hofstra (40), Delaware (32), Drexel (21), Towson (16), and Virginia Commonwealth (9).

Delaware head coach Carol Miller, who enters her 14th season at the helm of the Blue Hens and her 22nd year as a head coach overall, welcomes back 14 letterwinners and nine starters from last year’s team that went 8-11 overall and placed eighth in the league standings with a 2-6 mark. The Blue Hens captured the CAA tournament title in 2004.

The Blue Hens welcome back several of the CAA’s top players in 2005 second team all-region midfielder Amanda Warrington (six goals, six assists), second team all-region and second team All-CAA midfielder Katie Evans (four goals, six assists), second team all-region and first team All-CAA defender Molly Burke (nine goals), 2005 CAA All-Rookie pick Casey Howard (seven goals), and fourth-year starting goalkeeper Megan Allen (.742 save percentage - pictured at right).

Delaware will open the 2006 season Aug. 26-27 when the Blue Hens travel to the Duke University to take on Michigan State in the first round and either Louisville or Duke in the second round. The Hens will then return home to face Ohio State and Syracuse in the annual Blue Hen Classic at Rullo Stadium Sept. 2-3.

AGATE:

2006 Colonial Athletic Association Field Hockey Pre-Season Coaches Poll: 1. Old Dominion (7 first place votes), 63 points; 2. Northeastern (2), 55; 3. James Madison, 46; 4. William & Mary, 42; 5. Hofstra, 40; 6. Delaware, 32; 7. Drexel, 21; 8. Towson, 16; 9. Virginia Commonwealth, 9.