Delaware Crowned CAA Field Hockey Champions for 10th Time in 12 Years

Delaware Crowned CAA Field Hockey Champions for 10th Time in 12 Years

Bookmark and Share

Ben Kane

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Nov. 10, 2024) – A two-goal performance from the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player Valentina Martorell earned Delaware its 10thCAA Field Hockey Championship in the last 12 years as the fourth-seeded Blue Hens edged No.3 Monmouth, 4-3, in overtime on Sunday afternoon at Drexel’s Buckley Field.
 
Lulu Fulton redirected a pass from Sarah Rigual into the cage for the game-winning goal in the 69th minute. It was the only lead of the game for Delaware (11-9), which overcame one-goal deficits three times. 
 
Monmouth (12-7) hit the back of the cage less than two minutes into the contest when Anna Moors fired the penalty corner home. Moors has been one of the best players in the nation in front of goal these past two weeks, tallying 15 points in her last four games.
 
Delaware sprung onto the counterattack to equalize the game in the second quarter. With just the goalkeeper in front of her, Noelle Sabbagh found Martorell for her second goal of the Championship.
 
It took no time for Monmouth to regain the lead, with All-CAA First Teamer Jess Tucker swatting the ball from midair into an open goal to restore Monmouth’s one-goal lead in the 26th minute.
 
Delaware capitalized on a loose ball in front of Monmouth’s goal to draw the game level in the early stages of the second half when Kate Fiest connected on a pass from Iris Bekker.
 
Monmouth took its third lead of the game, 3-2, when Sofia Fouces scored for the first time since Oct. 18. However, Martorell tallied her second to level the game in the 44thminute and send the meeting to overtime.
 
Seven goals in a Championship are the second most goals in the final game since 2000. Delaware earns an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament with the destination learned on Sunday evening.
 
All-Tournament Selections:
 
Valentina Martorell – Delaware (Most Outstanding Player)
Iris Bekker – Delaware
Sarah Rigual – Delaware
Cecile van Eijck - Delaware
Jessie Eiselin – Monmouth
Sofia Fouces – Monmouth
Jess Tucker – Monmouth
Marti Sanabria - Drexel
Valentine Van Hellemont – Drexel
Lara Taylor – Northeastern
Lauren Rowe – Northeastern
  
Follow the CAA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get up-to-date information and learn more about the CAA’s member institutions and their teams.