University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
9-7, 4-2
Drexel
7-9, 2-4
Delaware Clinches Spot in CAA Tournament with 16-9 Win at Drexel
4/29/2017 5:08:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Boxscore (.html) | Boxscore (.pdf)
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Blue Hens received hat tricks from four different players and clinched a spot in the upcoming CAA Tournament Saturday afternoon with their 16-9 victory over Drexel at Vidas Field.
The Hens will now face top-seeded James Madison (11-6) Friday in the first CAA semifinal game at Towson at 4 p.m.
Junior Megan Santoleri (Berwyn, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) led the way by tallying her second straight game with a career-high four goals to go along with a draw control and caused turnover.
Classmate Becky Gohsler (Mendham, N.J./West Morris Mendham) added her eighth hat trick of the season with three goals and registered a career-best six draw controls to eclipse 100 draw controls for her career. The midfielder also contributed game-highs of three ground balls and three caused turnovers.
Senior Kirsten Hale (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley) and sophomore Caroline Farley (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) also recorded three goals apiece while senior Jamie Schwartz (Ellicott City, Md./Mt. Hebron) and freshman Mia DeRuggiero (Baltimore, Md./Sparrows Point) tallied two goals each.
Delaware (9-7, 4-2 CAA) led, 8-7, at halftime before outscoring the Dragons (7-9, 2-4), 8-2, in the second half for the win.
Caroline Thiele and Lisa Rogers each contributed two goals for Drexel.
“Overall this was a great team win in a must-win game. I think we learned that lesson last season in how to win the must-win games with our backs against the wall. This year we were in control of our destiny, so instead of waiting for our fate to be played out by another team, we were able to play it out for ourselves. I couldn't be more proud of the team effort today. The leadership from our seniors was outstanding throughout this week. They know what they want and I think we're clicking at the right time, which is super important. We're going to continue to aspire to play our best game, which is still down the road.”
Junior Becky Gohsler
“We knew what was on the line for this game. Last year, Drexel was the team that pretty much eliminated us, so we weren't going to let that happen again. We didn't want this to be our last game for our seniors. Everyone really stepped up when it was needed.”
[On draw controls]: “Caroline Farley really stepped up huge on the draw, she was pretty much controlling it and getting it right into my stick. Her and Mary Abram – I have to give huge credit to them, the drawers do all the work. My job is to get the ball, all the credit goes to Caroline and Mary.”
Junior Megan Santoleri
“The CAA is a dogfight and we're really peaking at the right time. I think I speak for everyone in saying how many people have stepped up in the past few games. We've had double-digit goals and multiple scorers. Today was a must-win situation for both teams and that was really stuck in our heads. We knew Drexel was going to come out strong as we were both fighting for the same thing.”
HEN SCRATCHINGS
· The Blue Hens will make their first appearance in the CAA Tournament since 2015.
· Delaware holds the 25-8 advantage over the Dragons.
· The Hens are 8-0 this season when scoring at least 10 goals.
· Becky Gohsler is fourth in program history with 100 career draw controls. Courtney Aburn (2007-10) is third with 107 for her career.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
· May 5 – Delaware vs. James Madison – CAA Tournament Semifinals – 4 p.m. – Johnny Unitas® Stadium (Towson, Md.)
· May 7 – CAA Tournament Finals at Towson – 1 p.m. –Johnny Unitas® Stadium (Towson, Md.)
· Further postseason play – TBD
MEDIA CONTACT: Maggie Hayon, Assistant Sports Information Director | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 302-379-9182
