Delaware Holds On For 2-1 Victory Over Fairfield

Sunday, September 28

Fred P. Rullo Stadium

1:00 PM

University of Delaware

(5-5)

Fairfield

(4-7)

Team	1	2	Final F
Fairfield	0	1	1
Delaware	1	1	2

9/28/2014 4:07:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

By: Delaware Athletics

NEWARK, Del. – A weeklong break from competition proved to be fruitful for the University of Delaware field hockey team as the Blue Hens held on for a 2-1 victory over Fairfield University Sunday afternoon at Fred P. Rullo Stadium.

Junior Allie Mikelson (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) registered her first goal of the season, and the fifth of her career, in the 10^th minute off a penalty corner. Mikelson took a tip-in pass from sophomore Esmée Peet (Zeewolde, The Netherlands/RSG Slingerbos) to give UD the 1-0 advantage. Sophomore Meghan Winesett (Centreville, Va./Westfield) also assisted on the play.

The Blue Hens (5-5) gained a 2-0 advantage in the 38^th minute as freshman Taylor Lister (Hummelstown, Pa/Lower Dauphin) found junior Michaela Patzner (Rosenheim, Germany/Karolinen Gymnasium) in front of the cage. Patzner shot the ball in straight away from three yards out for her team-leading fifth goal of the year.

Fairfield (4-7) threatened late as Jaclyn Gallagher posted a goal in the 56^th minute coming out of a timeout, but Delaware held on for the victory.

Redshirt freshman Fran Orella (Whitehouse Station, N.J./Hunterdon Central Regional) made the first start of her career between the pipes for the Hens and came out strong by tallying three saves in 70 minutes for the win.

Caitlin Bennett took the loss for the Stags after recording four saves, but two goals allowed, in the start.

Rolf van de Kerkhof
“We played a very good first half and then I think we had some moments in the second. We have to continue to grow and put two quality halves together. Fran [Orella] did a great job today. She stood up to the challenge and did a phenomenal job in helping us get the win we were looking for. This was the last test case before CAA play and I think we have everything in place. If we can be a little more consistent, then we should have a lot of fun and excitement facing CAA opponents.

Junior Allie Mikelson
[On her penalty corner goal]: “We've been working on that play all week. I knew to look for either Esmée [Peet] or Ela [Patzner] for the tip. We've invested a lot of time in all of our corners because that can be the key to victory.”

Redshirt Freshman Fran Orella
“I was really honored to be able to play today and I think the defense as a whole did a great job. They really helped keep everything in order, so anything I face was a pretty easy save. We're excited and have a lot of energy [going into CAA play], but we know we have to focus on taking steps every game to keep getting better and better.”

HEN SCRATCHINGS
     · Freshman Emmeline Oltmans missed her first start of the season after suffering a knee injury Friday. She is expected to return to the cage this week.
     · Delaware takes the 1-0 advantage over Fairfield in the all-time series history.
     · The Blue Hens outshot the Stages, 14-7.
     · UD improves to 87-73 (.544) all-time at Fred P. Rullo Stadium.
     · The Hens welcomed Special Olympics Delaware and their families to today's contest against Fairfield. SODE athletes joined the team during the starting lineups and National Anthem before rooting on their favorite Delaware athletes during the game.
     · Delaware has spread the scoring wealth as nine players have scored at least one goal this season while 10 have tallied at least one point.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
     · Friday, October 3 – Delaware at James Madison* – 7 p.m. – JMU Field Hockey Complex (Harrisonburg, Va.)
     · Sunday, October 5 – Delaware at William & Mary* – 1 p.m. – Busch Field (Williamsburg, Va.)
     · Friday, October 10 – Delaware at Princeton – 6 p.m. – Bedford Field (Princeton, N.J.)