DURHAM, N.C. – After reaching the NCAA semifinals for the second time in three seasons last year, Duke begins the 2016 campaign ranked fourth in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) preseason poll. The Blue Devils welcome William & Mary and No. 13 Liberty during opening weekend at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium. Both contests will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra and will be available to users who have access to WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
Blue Devils Begin Season in Top Five Duke opens the 2016 slate ranked fourth in the country, as announced this week by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) in its Division I preseason poll ... A year after compiling a 14-7 ledger and reaching the NCAA semifinals for the second time in three seasons, head coach Pam Bustin's squad was one of four ACC teams to begin the fall ranked in the top five nationally ... The Blue Devils were also picked to finish fourth in the ACC by a preseason vote of the league's seven head coaches.
Returning Scorers The Blue Devils welcome back their top eight goal scorers from a year ago, led by senior Heather Morris, who posted 11 goals and four assists last fall ... Junior Ashley Kristen, who had a team-leading nine assists last year, was tabbed to the 2016 Preseason All-ACC Team ... Seniors Hunter Bracale and Robin Blazing will look to bolster the attack after recording five and four goals, respectively, during their junior campaigns.
Upholding Duke's Defensive Standard Duke enters the 2016 season without the services of three-time All-American Lauren Blazing, who spent the past four years as the squad's starting goalkeeper ... Senior Kelsey Wagner and sophomore Sammi Steele will be able to make the transition with an experienced group in front of them ... The back line returns a pair of starters in juniors Alyssa Chillano and Sarah Furey, as well as classmate Stephanie Pezzuti and senior Savannah Story ... Chillano led the ACC in defensive saves last fall (6), while the unit posted a goals against average of 1.42 ... The program ranked top-15 nationally in goals against average last season and has excelled on the defensive end throughout head coach Pam Bustin's tenure in Durham.
Scouting the Tribe William & Mary received votes in Tuesday's NFHCA Coaches preseason poll after finishing with a 7-12 record in 2015 ... The squad returns five all-conference players, including junior back Booter Ellis, who notched three assists and five defensive saves last fall ... Ellis was joined by midfielder Erin Menges and forward Cammie Lloyd on the CAA Preseason All-Conference team.
Scouting the Flames After wrapping up 2015 with a 12-6 record, Liberty begins its 2016 slate at No. 13 in the NFHCA preseason national poll ... The Flames kick off action at James Madison Friday before traveling to Durham ... This season marks the program's first as an affiliate member of the BIG EAST Conference ... The squad was picked to finish second in the BIG EAST preseason poll, with seniors Serena and Bethany Barr both earning spots on the preseason all-conference team.
Weekend Promotions Friday marks National Cherry Popsicle Day ... Fans can stop by the Marketing Table on their way into the stadium for a free cherry popsicle to celebrate ... The Duke Marketing and Promotions staff will be partnering with Inferno to host "Freshmen Frenzie" at Jack Katz Stadium Sunday ... The freshmen dorm with the most residents in attendance at the game will win a pizza party ... Follow @Duke_MARKETING on Twitter for the latest in-game promotions.
