Old Dominion's field hockey players have been through the ringer. Coach Andrew Griffiths was sidelined for months between the 2017 and 2018 seasons after having a grand mal seizure. Such seizures can be fatal, but fortunately, Griffiths recovered fully,
After he returned prior to last season, the Monarchs played their best field hockey since 2015, when they upset five nationally ranked teams. ODU won its first seven games, was ranked 11th nationally and appeared headed for its first NCAA tournament bid in five years.
They then lost five in a row and were knocked out of playing in the Big East Conference tournament by a late shootout loss to Villanova.