University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Bounce Back, Hold Off Appalachian State for 2-1 Field Hockey Victory
9/18/2011 9:56:00 PM | Field Hockey
NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware field hockey squad scored twice in the opening half and then held on in the late-going to bounce back from a tough loss two days earlier and post a 2-1 victory over Appalachian State Sunday afternoon at Rullo Stadium.
A pair of Blue Hen freshmen teamed up to score the eventual game-winner as Meredith Bonnell (at right)took a feed from Kelsey McKee and scored with 11:45 left in the first to give Delaware the 2-0 lead.
The game marked the first-ever meeting between the two schools in field hockey.
Delaware (4-3) snapped a two-game losing streak that included a 2-1 loss to Temple Friday night at home when the Owls scored the game winner with just over three minutes left to play. Appalachian State (0-6) remained winless on the season with the loss.
The Blue Hens dominated most of the statistical categories but could never pull away. Delaware held a 24-11 advantage in shots, including nine by Amanda McCardell, and a 10-3 lead in penalty corners. Goalkeeper Noelle Diana posted five saves to earn the win for Delaware.
Delaware jumped out to a 1-0 lead just over nine minutes into the contest, scoring off a penalty corner opportunity. Kayla Schweitzer set up a shot by McCardell, who rifled a shot toward the goal that was tipped in by sophomore Toni Popinko (bottom left). The goal was the third of the season for Popinko.
The lead doubled with 11:45 left in the opening stanza as Bonnell scored her second goal of the season, tipping in a long backhanded pass from McKee.
The Mountaineers narrowed the deficit to 2-1 with 19:46 left to play, snapping the Hens' shutout bid as Dana Wetmore scored her first goal of the season on a rebound in front of the cage. ASU had a good chance to tie things up with 3:35 left to play but Diana came way out of the cage near the circle to knock the ball way from Lesley Thomas who had driven past a UD defender.
Delaware put eight shots on goal over the final eight minutes of action but could not get another one past ASU netminder Bridgette Street, who posted 10 saves, including three in the late UD flurry.
Delaware will return to action Sept. 21 when the Hens close out a six-game home stand vs. Monmouth at 7 p.m. at Rullo Stadium.
