University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware Women's Soccer Team Returns Home to Face a Pair of Local Rivals
9/19/2014 9:12:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware women's soccer team will play its first home games since Aug. 29 as the Blue Hens face Temple and Penn this weekend.
Delaware will take on Temple Friday at 7 p.m. and will face Penn Sunday at 1 p.m. Both games will be held at Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium.
Delaware (3-4) is coming off a 1-0 double overtime victory over Marist Sunday. That victory was the first double overtime win for the Blue Hens since a 2006 triumph over James Madison.
“We are very excited to be back on our home field here at Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium,” said University of Delaware head coach Scott Grzenda. “It is always exciting to play local schools where many of our players know their opposition. We are ready to put a few balls in the net this weekend and hopefully continue to play attractive soccer.”
Nikki Adams leads UD in goals (3) and points (6) this season, while Natalie Zelenky leads the team with 25 shots.
Temple (7-0) is off to the best start in program history. The Owls' hot start can be credited to solid defense and strong goalkeeping. Temple is 17th in the country with a .417 goals-against average and has outscored its opponents 15-3 this season while registering five shutouts.
This will be the 10th meeting between the Blue Hens and Owls. The first meeting between the two programs was in 1991 and Delaware has never lost to Temple in program history and boasts a 9-0 all-time record against the Owls. UD defeated Temple 2-1 in last season's matchup in Ambler, Pa.
Kelly Farrell and Gina DiTaranto are tied for the team lead with four goals on the season, while Shannon Senour leads the Owls with three assists. DiTaranto began her career at UD before tranferring to Temple.
Delaware will face Penn for the 13th time in program history Sunday. The first meeting between the two teams was in 1991 and the all-time series is tied at 6-6. Penn won the last meeting 1-0 in 2011.
The Quakers (2-1-1) will face Virginia Commonwealth Friday night before taking on the Blue Hens Sunday.
Four different Penn players lead the team with one goal each and Lindsey Sawczuk has a team-high three points on the season.
The Quakers were dealt their first loss of the season in their last game as Penn fell to William & Mary 3-0.
