University of Delaware Athletics
Gim?nez's Last Minute Goal Give Hens 1-0 Win Over Georgia State (Sept. 24, 2011)
9/24/2011 3:56:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Boxscore
NEWARK, Del. -- Roberto Giménez has a flair for the dramatic, putting away an electrifying goal in the 89th minute to give the University of Delaware its fourth win in a row with a 1-0 victory over Georgia State University Saturday night.
The last-minute marker brought the over 500 people at Delaware Stadium to their feet as the Hens continued to control home field advantage, winning their seventh-straight home game in Colonial Athletic Association play. The seven-game run dates back to the 2009 season finale when Delaware knocked off the Panthers 4-1.
Giménez, the reigning conference Rookie of the Week, received a long cross from fellow newcomer Kyle Nuel in the 89th minute, beating Panther netminder CJ Cochran to the right post for the dramatic game-winner.
“A very important win again for the squad. GSU has a very good record for good reason, they gave us all we could handle tonight and are a team that will do well this year in this very difficult conference,” said Ian Hennessy, Delaware's sixth-year head coach who took the team to its first-ever CAA tournament last season. “We look forward to a critical game on the road against the top ranked CAA team and a nationally ranked opponent in Old Dominion and I know the lads will be a focused group for that one”
With the win, Delaware improved to 6-0-1 on the season, the program's best start since 1985 when the Hens opened the season 8-0-1 under UD Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Loren Kline.
The victory extended Delaware's regular season undefeated streak to 10, dating back to a 2-1 loss at the hands of William & Mary, which was ranked No. 14 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com polls. It also marked Delaware's eighth home win in a row.
Delaware has won two of its last three matchups against the Panthers, who fell to 5-2-1 on the year and 0-1-0 in the CAA. Delaware, now 1-0-0 in the league, has outscored Georgia State 6-3 in the last three matchups.
The game's lone tally was not from a lack of trying, as Delaware took 14 shots during the match, including six on goal. Panther goalkeeper CJ Cochran was up to the task, making four saves.
Delaware's last line of defense, Kris Devaux, saw just nine total shots from Georgia State, three of which were on goal. The 6-0 senior made stops on all three for his fifth-straight victory and third shutout of the season. Delaware has allowed just seven goals all season, posting four team shutouts.
Both teams battled hard in the contest, with Georgia State being whistled for 20 fouls and the Hens for 10. Two Panthers were booked with yellow cards, with Peter Vania collecting his in the 14th minute and Stephen McGill receiving one in the 86th minute.
Delaware held a narrow 7-6 advantage in corner kicks, but was called offsides four times while Georgia State was called off just twice.
The 1985 season was also the last time the Hens strung together five consecutive wins, with tonight's win tying that mark.
Delaware will have a chance to extend the streak on Sept. 30 when it travels to Norfolk, Va. to take on Old Dominion, which was ranked No. 15 in the Sept. 20, NSCAA national rankings. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at the Old Dominion Soccer Stadium.
