NEW YORK – With the field hockey season now in conference play, two BIG EAST teams continue in the top 20 of the National Field Hockey Coaches’ Association (NFHCA)poll and the NCAA Field Hockey RPI. Connecticut is ranked No.3 in the NFHCA with 782 points while standing at No. 4 in the NCAA RPI. Old Dominion follows close behind at No. 6 in the NCAA RPI with a 4-3 record. ODU also ranks 17th in the NFHCA with 237 points.
The Huskies remain unbeaten after a 2-1 win at then-No. 13 Old Dominion on Friday and an 8-0 triumph at then-No.14 Virginia on Sunday to improve to 7-0. One of only five teams left fighting for a perfect season, UConn has garnered wins over four top-20 teams, including Boston U., Stanford, ODU and Virginia.
UConn is paced by junior Charlotte Veitner and senior Anna Middendorf. Both were recognized by the BIG EAST on Monday as Veitner was named Offensive Player of the Week and Middendorf earned Defensive Player of the Week. The honor was Middendorf’s second award of the season, while it was the 10
th time Veitner has won OPOW in her career.
Both players helped the Huskies go 2-0 this past weekend. Veitner scored a program-record six goals against Virginia on Sunday, the most goals and points (12) ever earned in a single game by a UConn player. Middendorf proved to be the difference against Old Dominion, scoring twice in the victory over the Monarchs. Her second goal came off a penalty corner with no time left to beat Old Dominion and earn UConn a win in its first BIG EAST game of the season.
Old Dominion joins UConn in the top 20 after coming off a competitive weekend against No. 3 UConn and James Madison. With a 4-3 record, the Monarchs have seen wins against American, then-No.14 Delaware, Richmond and William & Mary.
Guiding ODU is freshman Erin Huffman. The forward has tallied eight points on four goals. She tallied the Monarchs’ lone goal against then-No.5 UConn this past weekend. In goal, Kealsie Robles registers a .634 save percentage and 26 saves this season.
For the complete Penn Monto/NFHCA Preseason Poll, click
here and for the NCAA RPI, click
here.