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Delaware Women’s Lax Season Ends After Violating COVID Ordinance

Over the weekend, the University of Delaware women’s lacrosse team announced it canceled the remainder of the 2021 season after the athletic department said the team hosted an off-campus gathering in mid-March.

In the statement from the athletic department, student-athletes from the lacrosse team held an indoor gathering on March 21 that violated the City of Newark’s indoor gathering ordinance. The Delaware city has a cap of 10 people inside a private residence.

delaware“The health, safety, and well-being of our student-athletes and campus community are a priority at Delaware,” Athletic Director Chrissi Rawak said in the statement. “We have spoken to our student-athletes at length about the protocols and guidelines that must be followed for us to provide a safe environment not only for the University but our community as well. We will continue to communicate with our student-athletes how important it is for them to honor the social pledge and stay disciplined in their choices.”

Back on March 27, the Blue Hens canceled its home matchup against Towson due to the COVID-19 protocols within the program. Now, however, the team is set to face a six-week suspension, which would carry through the rest of the 2021 regular season.

Delaware last played on March 21, a 14-7 loss to Coastal Carolina, and finish the season with a record of 1-5.

The women’s lacrosse team becomes the second within the Blue Hens athletic department to be suspended for violations of COVID-19 protocols. According to a report from DelawareOnline.com, 19 members of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams were suspended in October 2020 for a similar defiance of UD and city rules.

The Colonial Athletic Association, the conference which Delaware is a part of, released a statement supporting the Blue Hens’ decision.

“The Colonial Athletic Association respects and supports the decision made by the University of Delaware to suspend its women’s lacrosse season,” CAA commissioner Joe D’Antonio said in a league statement. “The conference will look to make adjustments to the upcoming regular-season conference schedule and plans to conduct the CAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship as scheduled on May 7 and 9, 2021.”

The University of Delaware shares COVID-19 related information regarding the status of campus activity this spring, along with positive cases among members of the campus community to aid in informing our community about public health.  This information is located on the University of Delaware COVID-19 Dashboard.

To read the full release from the Blue Hens’ athletic department, click here