D1 Women's Field Hockey Rankings
Introduction
Field hockey is a popular sport in the United States, especially among women. The NCAA D1 Women's Field Hockey Rankings help fans and teams keep track of who's dominating the field.
In this article, we'll look at the top teams in the 2021 rankings and what makes them stand out. We'll also discuss the latest news and updates from the world of D1 women's field hockey.
The Top Teams in the 2021 Rankings
As of September 2021, Duke University is at the top of the D1 women's field hockey rankings. The Blue Devils have started the season strong, winning their first four games with a combined score of 15-2.
Other teams in the top five include North Carolina, Louisville, Michigan, and Iowa. North Carolina is a perennial powerhouse in field hockey, with seven national championships to their name. Michigan is off to a strong start this season, with wins over top-ranked teams like Iowa and Northwestern.
What Makes These Teams Stand Out?
What makes these teams stand out from the rest? It all starts with their players.
North Carolina's Eva Smolenaars is one of the top scorers in the NCAA, with nine goals and three assists in six games. Duke's Margot Lawn is a standout goalkeeper, with a save percentage of .867 and two shutouts so far this season.
Louisville's Sam Minrath is another player to watch, with four goals and two assists in six games. Michigan's Annabel Skubis is a force on defense, with 16 tackles and 11 interceptions so far this season.
These teams also have strong coaching staffs and a winning culture. North Carolina's head coach Karen Shelton has been with the team for over 40 years and has led them to numerous national championships. Duke's head coach Pam Bustin has been with the Blue Devils for nine seasons and has led them to four ACC championships.
Latest News and Updates
The D1 women's field hockey season is just getting started, but there's already plenty of news and updates to keep up with.
In early September, the University of Maine announced that they would be discontinuing their field hockey program due to budget cuts. This decision was met with disappointment from the field hockey community, as Maine has a long history in the sport.
On the bright side, the NCAA announced that the 2021 field hockey championships would be held in the Midwest, at the home of the University of Michigan. This is the first time that the championships will be held in the Great Lakes region.
Conclusion
The D1 women's field hockey rankings are a great way to keep up with the top teams in the sport. Duke currently holds the top spot, but there's plenty of talent and competition among the other teams in the top five.
As the season progresses, we can expect to see more standout performances from players like Eva Smolenaars, Margot Lawn, and Sam Minrath. We'll also keep an eye on the latest news and updates from the world of D1 women's field hockey.
