The University of Delaware field hockey team is headed to NCAA Division I Final Four.
The Blue Hens, ranked 8th nationally, upset top-ranked Duke 3-2 in overtime at Duke.
The victory sends Delaware to the national semifinals for the first time since 1982.Greta Nauck’s goal just over 2 minutes into OT was the difference, capping a comeback that saw UD erase a 2-0 second half deficit to beat the Blue Devils for the first time in 10 tries. It’s also the Hens’ first-ever win against a team ranked number one
"We were fortunate to stay alive [the way Duke was playing]," said UD head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "Although we trailed for most of the first sixty minutes, it was the last ten minutes that we decided to play Delaware Hockey. We finally displayed what we didn’t show enough of this weekend – great possession, creating scoring opportunities and making each other look good resulted in goals being scored and a change in momentum."
The 21-2 Blue Hens’ have now won 17 in a row, a team record and the longest current win streak in Div. I field hockey.
They’ll face Princeton in the national semi-finals Friday in Norfolk, VA. Princeton, ranked 14th, knocked off #7 Virginia Sunday to advance.
UD lost to Princeton 4-2 at Princeton back in September.
And there was more good news for UD Sunday. The school’s men’s soccer team earned an NCAA tournament berth after capturing the Colonial Athletic Association title with a 2-1 win over William & Mary. They’ll learn who they play – and where – in the first round Monday. It’s their first NCAA bid since 2013.
