University of Richmond Athletics
Defending A-10 Champs Open Season At No. 15 American Friday
08/26/2010 | Field Hockey
Aug. 26, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Defending Atlantic 10 Champion Richmond opens the 2010 season on Friday morning playing at No. 15 ranked American at 11 a.m.
Friday's season opener can be watched on the internet at aueagles.com for a single-game price of $5.95.
The Spiders are receiving votes in the Kookaburra/NFHCA Collegiate National Coaches Top-20 Poll, checking in at 27th in the nation.
Richmond graduated six seniors from last year's team, including 2009 Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year Sarah Blythe-Wood, but the Spiders return key contributors off of the championship team.
Junior forward Katelin Peterson, the Spiders' second-leading scorer last season, has earned First-Team All-Atlantic 10 honors as both a freshman and sophomore and already has 25 career goals. Senior Dani Pycroft was a Second-Team All-Atlantic 10 selection last year and sophomore back Catherine Ostoich was named to the 2009 A-10 All-Rookie Team.
American and Richmond have faced off in each of the past seven seasons, with American holding a slight 4-3 advantage. In their most recent matchup last season, the Eagles won 2-1 at Crenshaw Field.
Richmond has a quick turnaround, facing Towson on Saturday at 1 p.m. on the campus of the University of Maryland.
After trips to Monmouth and Rutgers next weekend, the Spiders host VCU in the home opener on Sept. 8 at 4:30 p.m. at Crenshaw Field.
