WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson College field hockey team has announced its decision to opt out of varsity competition during the spring 2021 semester.  

Team statement from team co-captain and senior defender Reghan Dunn: "The W&J field hockey team has made the difficult decision to not compete in Empire 8 conference play for the Spring Semester of 2021. This tough decision was made for both the physical and mental health of our team and with the health and safety of both our team and the W&J community in mind. We are excited to take this time to come together as a group and look forward to returning to conference play during the Fall 2021 semester. We wish teams competing in the Empire 8 this spring a healthy and safe season!"  

The W&J field hockey team has competed as an affiliate member of the Empire 8 since 2006. The E8 had recently announced an eight-game spring conference season after the typical fall season was postponed on July 15, 2020. Each of the other eight competing Empire 8 field hockey programs reside in the state of New York.  

Under the guidance of head coach Jomara Coghlan, the Presidents have captured three Empire 8 Conference Championships (2011, 2017 and 2018) and have appeared in the NCAA Tournament three times (2011, 2017 and 2018). Coach Coghlan owns a 163-81 career record (.668) and has helped W&J reach the Empire 8 Tournament in 11 of her 13 seasons at the helm.