University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Drexel
Delaware Clinches CAA Tournament Berth with 4-0 Win at Drexel, Will Play for Regular Season CAA Title Sunday vs. Elon
10/29/2014 9:52:00 PM | Men's Soccer
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The University of Delaware men's soccer team put forth a dominant performance Wednesday night to clinch a CAA Tournament berth against the team that eliminated them a season ago as the Blue Hens defeated Drexel 4-0 in a Colonial Athletic Association contest.
Wednesday's clinching win marks the fourth time in the last five seasons UD has made the postseason. Seeding for the tournament will be determined at the conclusion of this weekend's play. Six teams will make the tournament, with the first two teams earning a first-round bye. If UD can defeat Elon in its final game Sunday, the Blue Hens will be assured of at least a share of the regular season CAA title.
What a climax to the year. A stadium dedication for the Grants, an opportunity to be crowned regular season champions and a chance to say goodbye to a very special group of seniors. I hope they have an amazing day and one they will never forget".
In Wednesday's contest, the Delaware offense did not skip a beat despite missing the leading goal scorer in the CAA Guillermo Delgado due to the sophomore's red card in UD's previous game.
After a scoreless first 30 minutes, the Blue Hens (11-5-1, 4-2-1 CAA) took control of the game in a 16 second stretch. Joe Dipre put the Blue Hens on the board with his fifth goal of the season at the 35:22 mark. Then, just 16 seconds later, Kyle Bruno scored his second goal of the season and gave UD a 2-0 lead.
As the first half wound down, Blue Hen sophomore Angus Maloney recorded his first collegiate goal to give Delaware a commanding 3-0 lead going into the intermission.
Ben Asante eliminated any doubt of the game's outcome when the senior gave UD a 4-0 lead 10 minutes into the second half. The goal was Asante's fifth of the season and third score in the last three games.
Marco Siverio led the Blue Hens with three shots, while three other Delaware players tallied two shots each. UD outshot the Dragons 15-11 in Wednesday's game.
Delaware's four goals are the team's second highest single game total this season. Wednesday was the sixth shutout of the season for the Blue Hens and first since UD's 1-0 double overtime victory over UNCW on Oct. 4.
Dipre registered his team-leading fifth and sixth assists of the season in the winning effort, while Asante and Bruno had one assist each.
The Blue Hens will return to action this Sunday against Elon. The contest with Elon will be the final game of the regular season and an historic game for the UD program as the official dedication of Stuart and Suzanne Grant Stadium will take place before the game. Delaware will also honor the seniors who will be playing in their final regular season home game.
The dedication ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m., while the matchup between the Blue Hens and Phoenix will commence at 1 p.m.
