With a 4-3 overtime win over Monmouth on Sunday, Nov. 10, the University of Delaware field hockey team claimed its 10th CAA championship in the last 12 years and first since 2022. The Blue Hens will advance to the first round of the 2024 NCAA tournament and take on Fairfield University on Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at 2 p.m., the committee announced Sunday night.

Monmouth took the early advantage in the first 1:07 with a score off a penalty corner. Eight minutes into the second quarter, Delaware’s Noelle Sabbagh took a breakaway and fed Valentina Martorell the ball for the equalizer. Less than 90 seconds later, Monmouth answered with its second goal off a penalty corner.

The Hens opened the second half and immediately tied the game with a goal from Kate Fiest. The Hawks answered six minutes later to go up 3-2 halfway through the third stanza. With under 30 seconds left in the third period, Martorell tallied her second of the day after a dish from Kate Janssen, which would eventually be the goal to force overtime.

In the extra period, Delaware’s Sarah Rigual fed the ball into the circle and found a diving Lulu Fulton for the game-winning goal. 

Martorell finished the day with career highs with two goals and four points. Delaware goalie Cecile van Eijck (11-9) made a pair of saves.

Valentina Martorell was named the CAA Championship Most Outstanding Player and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Iris Bekker, Sarah Rigual and Cecile van Eijck.

On to the NCAA Tournament

Sunday was Delaware's ninth CAA Championship game in the last 10 seasons, and then 10th CAA title in 12 years, having also won in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

This will be the Blue Hens 14th appearance in the NCAA tournament and first since 2022. UD is 10-12 all-time in the big tourney, highlighted by winning the 2016 National Championship under the direction of head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. Ten of their last 12 appearances have come over the last 12 years as the Blue and Gold have earned the CAA crown.