Five-Star Matchups 11/5

It's the opening day of the 2008 Centennial Conference championship tournaments in field hockey, soccer and volleyball. On three different occasions, the winner of the first-round contests between the #4 and #5 seeds has gone on to reach the Conference final. History still awaits the first team that defeats three opponents in a week to capture the Centennial title and gain the Conference's automatic berth to the NCAA championships. The quest begins today in Allentown, Carlisle, Chestertown and Lancaster.

Dickinson at Washington (Field Hockey)
Live Stats: Yes.
The Shorewomen (6-4 CC, 11-5) welcome the Red Devils (5-5, 9-8) to Chestertown for the first home playoff game at Washington since 2001. Both teams look for their first CC tournament win, as the Shorewomen are 0-4, while Dickinson is 0-1. It's a rematch of last Saturday's regular-season finale at Kirby Stadium that Washington pulled out 3-2 in the final 30 seconds of regulation. It is the 19th meeting between the Red Devils and the Shorewomen in a series that began in 1990. Washington's 3-2 overtime victory last Saturday gives the Shorewomen a 10-9 advantage. It was Washington's sixth straight win against Dickinson on the Eastern Shore. The Devils' last win in Chestertown came in 1995 (2-1).

Muhlenberg at Dickinson (Men's Soccer)
The Mules (5-3-1, 12-4-1) travel to Carlisle to take on the Red Devils (5-2-2, 11-4-2) in the first-ever Centennial men's soccer playoff game at Dickinson. Muhlenberg is 4-5 in the CC tournament and won the championship in 2003 and 2005. The Mules also captured the Centennial title in 1994, 1995 and 1997. Dickinson lost in its first only appearance in the tournament in 2007, falling in PKs in the first round at Gettysburg. It is the 45th meeting between the Mules and the Red Devils in a series that began in 1964. Muhlenberg holds a 30-11-3 advantage, but has not won at Dickinson since 2001.

Haverford at Muhlenberg (Women's Soccer)
Live Stats: Yes.
The Fords (5-4-1, 8-9-1) take on the Mules (5-2-3, 10-4-4) in Allentown with Haverford looking for its first win at Varsity Field since 1998 (0-4-1). It is the 17th meeting between the Fords and the Mules since 1993 with Muhlenberg holding a 9-6-1 advantage. 'Berg is 5-3 all-time in the CC tournament with titles in 2001 and 2003. Haverford, the 1995 Centennial champ, is looking for its first victory in the tourney after losses in 2004 and 2005.

Dickinson at Franklin & Marshall (Volleyball)
Video: Yes. Live Stats: Yes.
The Red Devils (6-4, 11-13) and the Diplomats (7-3, 12-15) renew their long-time rivalry in their first-ever Centennial playoff match tonight in Lancaster. It is the 43rd meeting between the Red Devils and the Diplomats in a series that began in 1976. F&M holds a 35-6-1 advantage and won the regular-season matchup in Lancaster in three sets. Dickinson is 0-3 in CC tournament, while Franklin & Marshall is 8-7 with Centennial titles in 1993, 1994, 1999 and 2000.