Comebacks Fall Short as Hens Drop 3-2 Decision to Villanova in Season Opener

Friday, August 19

Villanova, Pa.

4:30 PM

University of Delaware

Villanova

Comebacks Fall Short as Hens Drop 3-2 Decision to Villanova in Season Opener

8/19/2016 9:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer

By: Delaware Athletics

• Boxscore

Scott Grzenda, who began his 27th season at the helm of the Blue Hens. "This was a very exciting first game. We had many moments of great soccer and a few that cost us. It was great to put the ball in the net four times but sadly one two counted. It was also great that the freshmen stepped up, scored goals, and played well."

A flurry of scoring took place in the first half as each team netted two goals to force a 2-2 stalemate at the break. Villanova scored the game-winner when DiClemente took a feed from Kayla Hughes and scored from 12 yards out.

DiClemente opened the scoring just 10 minutes into the contest for Villanova before Delaware's Vassallo scored off a corner kick by Mikala Kin at the 24:23 mark. Villanova took the lead again at 2-1 when DiClemente scored 10 minutes later, but the Hens tied it up again with just 1:18 left in the opening half when Kabat scored in front of the net off a Krista Trinidad assist.

Villanova outshot the Hens 18-13 but Delaware held a big 9-1 advantage on corners.

HEN SCRATCHINGS:
• Vassallo and Kabat became the first Delaware players to score a goal in their collegiate debut since current UD senior Michelle McEnroe tallied against St. John's on Aug. 25, 2013 in her first collegiate game
• Delaware will continue action Sunday at Syracuse at 1 p.m.
• The Hens are coming off an 8-9-2 record in 2015 and will be looking to advance to the CAA Tournament for the fifth time in six years
• Villanova leads the series 5-1-2 as the Hens remained winless in their last four meeting with the Wildcats. The teams met for the first time since 1996

AGATE:

Delaware.....2.....0.....2
Villanova.....2.....1.....3

Scoring Summary: First Half - Villanova - Ida DiClemente (unassisted), 9:44 into game; Delaware - Jillian Vassalo (Mikala Kin), 24:23; Villanova - DiClemente (Kristin Barbour, Emily Kuefler), 35:11; Delaware - Dani Kabat (Krista Trinidad), 43:42; Second Half - Villanova - DiClemente (Kayla Hughes), 56:48.

Shots: D - 13, V - 18; Corner Kicks: D -9, V - 1; Saves: D - 10 (Kailyn Rekos), V - 4 (Emmalee Meyer); Offsides: D - 2, V - 1; Attendance: 195.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129