University of Delaware Athletics
Ellis Plays Part of Hometown Hero as UD Thwarts Hofstra 3-2 in OT (Oct. 16, 2011)
10/16/2011 3:14:00 PM | Men's Soccer
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NEWARK, Del. -- Finding themselves down 2-0 early in their game with Hofstra University, members of the University of Delaware men's soccer team dug deep and found the will to win.
Behind a pair of goals from sophomore sensation Roberto Giménez, including one with 38 seconds left in regulation, the Blue Hens knotted the Colonial Athletic Association game at 2-2.
But it was Kyle Ellis, who hails from Bear, Del. and went to high school less than 10 miles from Delaware Mini-Stadium, who proved to be the hometown hero, tucking away the game-winning goal just one minute into the second overtime period to lift Delaware 3-2.
“Today's group spirit, our UD spirit was evident today in the second half. I was particularly pleased with the leadership role taken on by our seniors late in the game,” said Hennessy, who guided his team to its first overtime victory since Oct. 2, 2010. “If we have done anything this year, we have provided exciting soccer for the great crowds we have at each game.”
Delaware's last overtime win was against Old Dominion University, also in double overtime in a 1-0 result. Since that game, Delaware has played in six extra-time games. The win over Hofstra snapped not only a two-game losing skid but marked the third-straight game Delaware and its opponents have needed extra time to decide a win.
Giménez, who tallied his seventh and eighth goals of the year, found the back of the net multiple times for the fourth time this season. Ellis tallied his first goal since Sept. 21 on the road at Saint Peter's. It was his first home goal since Sept. 18 against Columbia.
Hofstra (5-7-0, 2-4-0 CAA) jumped out to a 2-0 lead after Shaun Foster, who was favored to be the CAA Player of the Year in the preseason polls, finished a corner kick off the foot of Mike Annarumma in the second minute. The Pride extended their lead just three minutes later with Heidar Emillsson burying a shot on a Shady Saleh shot. The 2-0 advantage held strong through the next 70 minutes of action.
But the Blue Hens proved why they have No. 12 scoring offense in the country, averaging 2.1 goals per game, as Giménez turned on a pass from Mark Garrity for the Hens' first goal. The marker came in the 75th minute and was soon followed up with just 38 seconds on the clock on Giménez's second goal of the day. Darren O'Connor controlled the ball during a scramble on a corner kick and found Giménez to tie things.
Then it was Ellis' turn to shine. After dribbling through nearly the entire Pride defense, Ellis sailed a shot in over Hofstra keeper Roberto Pellegrini, who could not make his seventh save of the day and watch the game-winner go by.
In the Delaware goal, Kris Devaux made four saves against six Hofstra shots on goal. In front of Devaux, Giménez tallied five shots, including four on goal to lead the day. Garrity and Evans Frimpong were the only other Delaware players to register multiple shots as the Hens tallied 14 on the day.
The contest was chippy from the get go and featured a combined 32 fouls, 18 of which were against Hofstra. Each team was given three yellow cards as well.
Hennessy and the Hens, who now have nine points in conference games with today's win, play their second game in a three-game home stand on Wednesday night under the lights of Delaware Mini-Stadium when George Mason comes to town. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
