University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Iona
Hens Blank Iona, 2-0, Behind Goals From Prieto and Martinez
9/7/2016 10:29:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NEWARK, Del. –Delaware continues to make its mark in program history as the No. 22 Blue Hens posted yet another shutout in Wednesday evening's 2-0 victory over Iona at Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium.
UD (4-0) has now opened the season by holding its first four opponents scoreless, a feat last accomplished by the 1974 squad that went 2-0-2 while outscoring its competition, 8-0, to start the year.
The Hens didn't give the Gaels (1-3) much opportunity to get on the scoreboard as Delaware outshot Iona, 21-3, while redshirt sophomore goalie Todd Morton (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) collected one save in the win.
Freshman Fede Prieto (Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain/IES Carmen Conde/Mostoles CF) picked up his first career goal in a Blue Hens uniform in the 58th minute. Senior Dani Laguna (Tres Cantos, Spain/Jorge Manrique) collected the rebound off the post before dishing it off to Prieto, who headed it in from about five yards out on the right side to give Delaware the 1-0 lead.
In the 85th minute, seniors Jaime Martinez (at left; Madrid, Spain/American School of Madrid) and Guillermo Delgado (Tres Cantos, Spain/Jose Luis Sampedro) nearly replicated the earlier goal to put Delaware ahead, 2-0. Martinez, who has been hampered by leg injuries the past two seasons, received the cross from Delgado on the right side of the net, where he punched it in from a couple of yards out.
Ian Hennessy“I think we've been able to establish a rhythm. The first couple of games we were a bit patchy, we were hot and cold. Tonight, we had some periods where we had some really good flowing, attacking soccer. We were very fortunate to get two great goals against a very good Iona team.”
Senior Jaime Martinez
[After recovering from multiple injuries]: “I feel really good; I'm starting to feel like a soccer player again. It's been a long journey, but the team has helped me a lot and I was able to get the rhythm again tonight. I need to thank my teammates, my coaches and Meeja [Kinsey, team athletic trainer], for helping me get back onto the field.”
Freshman Fede Prieto
“It's always beautiful to score a goal in a game. And it's even better to get a goal when it helps your team get the victory. It's been difficult to play in a different country, but my teammates have helped me a lot with adapting. I felt like I was at home on the field tonight.”
HEN SCRATCHINGS
· Delaware held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
· The Blue Hens have outshot opponents, 72-30, so far this season.
· Dani Laguna led all players with five shots while Guillermo Delgado and Fede Prieto each recorded four.
· UD takes the slight 3-2-1 advantage in the all-time series against Iona.
· The Hens last started a season 4-0 in 2014 when Delaware opened the year with six straight wins.
· In 1984, UD opened its year by holding opponents scoreless in four of its first five games.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
· Sunday, September 11 – Villanova at No. 22 Delaware – 3 p.m. – Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium (Newark, Del.)
· Wednesday, September 14 – Seton Hall at Delaware – 7 p.m. – Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium (Newark, Del.)
· Saturday, September 17 – William & Mary at Delaware * – 7 p.m. – Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium (Newark, Del.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Maggie Hayon | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 920-912-6635
