BALTIMORE -- The University of Delaware women’s lacrosse team, which opens Colonial Athletic Association Tournament action this Friday at Hempstead, NY, was picked No. 20 in this week’s Nike/Inside Lacrosse Top 20 poll announced Tuesday.

The Blue Hens (11-5), who have won two straight games and five of their last six outings, received 15 votes to tie for No. 20 in the poll with Boston University. Delaware did not receive votes in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association after earning votes last week.

Delaware will begin its quest for its first-ever CAA Championship this weekend as the No. 3 seed Blue Hens take on No. 17 ranked and No. 2 seed James Madison (12-4) Friday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. The Hens will be trying to avenge a 19-16 loss to JMU on Apr. 8. Top seed, host, and No. 16 Hofstra will take on No. 4 seed Old Dominion in the other semifinal game at 5 p.m. The winners will advance to Sunday’s title game with the winner earning an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.

The Hens, whose 11 wins are the most by a Blue Hen team since the 2000 season, will be looking to win their first league title since capturing the 1999 America East championships.

Northwestern remained the top team in both polls, earning all 14 first place votes in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse poll and all 15 first place votes in the IWLCA poll. Virginia was No. 2 in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse poll followed by Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, Duke, Syracuse, Georgetown, Yale, Vanderbilt, Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, Princeton, James Madison, Denver, Rutgers, Penn State, Hofstra, Ohio State, Delaware and Boston University.

Penn was No. 2 in the IWLCA poll followed by Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Duke, Syracuse, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, Princeton, Yale, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Denver, Hofstra, James Madison, Penn State, Ohio State, Connecticut.

The Blue Hens feature one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the nation with five different players having scored 30 or more goals. Freshman Nicole Flego (at right) leads the way with 33 goals and 20 assists followed by Debbie Sloan (36 goals, 11 assists), Katie Muth (34 goals, 13 assists), Casey McCrudden (32 goals, 13 assists), and Courtney Aburn (33 goals, 9 assists).

AGATE:

Nike/Inside Lacrosse Poll for April 30: 1. Northwestern (15-1), 14, 300; 2. Virginia (16-3), 279; 3. Pennsylvania (13-1), 267; 4. North Carolina (15-4), 254; 5. Maryland (14-3), 242; 6. Duke (13-3), 231; 7. Syracuse (12-4), 205; 8. Georgetown (10-7), 180; 9. Yale (13-3), 171; 10. Vanderbilt (11-4), 167; 11. Johns Hopkins (9-6), 140; 12. Notre Dame (11-6), 131; 13. Princeton (9-5), 127; 14. James Madison (12-4), 115; 15. Denver (15-2), 83; 16. Rutgers (12-5), 68; 17. Penn State (8-7), 54; 18. Hofstra (10-6), 43; 19. Ohio State (9-6), 37; 20. Delaware (11-5) & Boston University (11-5), 15; Others with votes: Dartmouth, Connecticut, Drexel, Holy Cross, Richmond.

Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Top 20 poll for May 1: 1. Northwestern (15-1), 15 first place votes, 300 points; 2. Pennsylvania (13-1), 282; 3. Virginia (16-3), 273; 4. North Carolina (15-4), 253; 5. Maryland (14-3), 238; 6. Duke (13-3), 229; 7. Syracuse (13-3), 229; 8. Georgetown (10-7), 175; 9. Johns Hopkins (10-6), 175; 10. Vanderbilt (11-4) 167; 11. Princeton (9-5), 145; 12. Yale (13-3), 145; 13. Notre Dame (11-6), 124; 14. Rutgers (12-5), 99; 15. Denver (15-2), 96; 16. Hofstra (10-6), 65; 17. James Madison (12-4), 53; 18. Penn State (8-7), 46; 19. Ohio State (9-6), 34; 20. Connecticut (10-6), 33; Others with votes: Boston University.