University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens See Streak Snapped Against No. 20 ODU in 2-0 CAA Loss (Oct. 1, 2011)
10/1/2011 2:35:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Boxscore
NORFOLK, Va.-- The University of Delaware men's soccer team suffered its first loss of the 2011 season, dropping a 2-0 decision against Colonial Athletic Association foe Old Dominion. The game, originally scheduled for Friday night, was halted 27 minutes in due to lightning and heavy rain in the Norfolk/Hampton Roads area.
Old Dominion, which was ranked No. 20 in this week's NSCAA National Rankings, benefited from the Friday night game being restarted on Saturday. Sophomore Roberto Giménez, the back-to-back CAA Rookie of the Week and Soccer America National Team of the Week selection, tallied a goal in 13th minute of Friday's game, but due to lightning in the Norfolk/Hampton Roads area, the game was stopped and started over Saturday in accordance with NCAA Rule 10.10.
Delaware (6-1-1, 1-1-0 CAA) was riding a five-game winning streak, suffered its first regular season loss since Oct. 23, 2010 against eventual CAA champion William & Mary. The Hens saw their 10 game regular conference-winning streak snapped, as well as a seven-game scoring run halted.
“Very tough loss for the lads today. They are a disappointed group in what was a fairly even game. The cancellation is a fact of life and something outside our control. It is as simple as that. It had no bearing on today's game,” said Ian Hennessy, whose team went undefeated in the month of September. “It is our first loss of the season and there is no shame in losing to a nationally ranked team on the road. Friday night was scramble for us to get hotels; laundry etc and I want to publicly thank the ODU administration for being of outstanding help in getting us situated so quickly on such a busy Football weekend.”
The Blue Hens put shots on goal, led by Ben Raymond's three attempts while Gimémez and Evans Frimpong, who was named to the Preseason All-CAA team, put two shots on net each. ODU keeper Victor Francoz was up to the task, recording six saves while the team tallied a save.
Old Dominion (5-2-0, 1-1-0 CAA), scored once in each half. Tim Hopkinson chipped a shot in during the 36th minute of play to send the Monarchs into halftime leading 1-0. Gideon Asante, a Preseason First-Team All-CAA selection, tallied the insurance goal in the 76th minute of play.
Throughout the match, Delaware held the advantage in shots, taking 19 while Old Dominion took just 13 attempts. The Hens also held a 7-4 edge in corner kicks.
Delaware, which was ranked No. 10 in the most recent NSCAA/adidas South Atlantic Regional polls, challenged midway through the second half, taking three shots in a span of just 20 seconds as Mark Garrity took back-to-back attempts, followed up by Raymond between the 68:51 and 69:06 marks.
Senior Kris Devaux suffered his first loss of the season, but made five saves in the tilt. It was the first time since Oct. 23, 2010 Devaux was on the losing end, a span of six games for the fourth-year Hen.
The Saturday game was the first time Delaware has been shutout this season, snapping a regular season run of 10 consecutive games in which the Hens scored at least once.
But the Hens will have a chance to continue home streaks on Wednesday when Delaware hosts Northeastern University. The Hens look to extend a home winning streak of eight games. The Hens went undefeated and untied in conference play at Delaware Mini-Stadium last year. The Hens continue a seven-game winning streak in conference games at home.
Kickoff against the Huskies is slated from 3 p.m., moved up from 6 p.m. to accommodate Northeastern's travel schedule.
