University of Delaware Athletics
UD Looks To Continue NCAA Run in 2nd Round at No. 4 UCLA (Nov. 18, 2011)
11/19/2011 1:55:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Delaware Game Notes
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The University of Delaware men's soccer team will look to continue its dramatic postseason journey on Sunday when the Blue Hens take on fourth-ranked UCLA at Drake Stadium at 7 p.m. Pacific Time.
Delaware earned the third NCAA Tournament berth in school history by advancing twice in penalty kicks at the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament before defeating Old Dominion, 2-1, in the championship game. The Blue Hens then earned thier first NCAA victory on Thursday when sophomore John Dineen scored on a header in the second overtime period to give Delaware a 1-0 triumph over Virginia.
UCLA, the 13th seed in the tournament, earned a first round bye in the NCAA Tournament after winning the Pac-12 Championship. The winner of the Delaware-UCLA game advances to the third round on Sunday, November 27 to take on the winner of the fourth-seeded Boston College vs. Rutgers match.
Delaware is 3-11-1 all-time against ranked opponents, including 2-5-1 under sixth-year head coach Ian Hennessy. The fourth-ranked Bruins will be the second highest ranked opponent the Blue Hens have ever faced, behind only a 1-0 loss to No. 3 Old Dominion in 2005.
Delaware, which is 13-5-4 and has already set a new single season record for wins, has also scored a program record 40 goals this year. UCLA opened the season with two losses and a tie, but has gone 15-2 since to finish the regular season at 15-4-1. The Bruins, who have won four national championships including their last one in 2002, enter NCAA Tournament play having not allowed a goal in each of their last five matches.
The Blue Hens are led by CAA Player of the Year Evans Frimpong, who has posted team-highs of 12 goals and 29 points this season. Sophomore Roberto Giménez, the CAA Rookie of the Year, has added 10 goals and a team-high seven assists to rank second on the squad with 27 points.
Bruins sophomore midfielder Kelyn Rowe was named the 2011 Pac-12 Player of the Year, as he is tied for the conference lead with eight assists and ranks third with 18 points. Chandler Hoffman leads UCLA with 15 goals and 34 points, while goalkeeper Brian Rowe has allowed just 15 goals in 18 matches this year.
Tickets cost for $10 for adults and $8 for students, and can be purchased at the stadium. Fans can also follow the match on the internet via a live audio broadcast and live stats at uclabruins.com.
