Field Hockey Set to Open Season Against No. 3 Duke
August 25, 2006 | Field Hockey
Aug. 25, 2006
The University of Louisville field hockey team will kick off the 2006 regular season against third-ranked and 2005 NCAA runner-up Duke Saturday at 2 p.m., at the Champions Challenge in Durham, N.C. The winner of Saturday's game will face the winner of a matchup between No. 16 Michigan State and Delaware on Sunday at 2 p.m. The losing teams of Saturday's games will play each other at 11:30 am.
The Cards enter the season ranked 14th in the 2006 STX/NFHCA Division 1 Preseason Poll, and are coming off of a 14-7 2005 campaign. U of L returns 17 letterwinners and eight starters from that team. One of Louisville's key returners is 2006 Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year senior Jessica Javelet. The two-time All-American selection led the nation in scoring with 30 goals and 74 points. She was also named 2006 BIG EAST Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Junior Janelle Avila was named to the 2006 preseason BIG EAST first team due to her significant contributions from her sophomore season. Avila, a 2005 first team all-BIG EAST and West Region selection ranked fifth in the nation in goals with 20 and was tied for sixth in the nation with 49 points.
The Blue Devils, ranked 3rd in the 2006 STX/NFHCA Division 1 Preseason Poll, bring back eleven letterwinners and six regular starters. Losing their top two goal scorers in Katie Grant and Nicole Dudek, Duke will look to their midfield trio of seniors; Hillary Linton, Cara Lopresti, and Amy Stopford, who combined for 12 goals and 20 assists last year.
