Defense Shines as Blue Hens Blow Past NJIT, 12-4

Saturday, February 16

Newark, NJ

1 p.m.

University of Delaware

2-0

New Jersey Institute of Technology

0-3

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Delaware	1	2	4	5	12
NJIT	0	0	2	2	4

Photo by: Lamar Carter/NJIT

2/16/2019 4:30:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

NEWARK, N.J. – If you're a believer of the old adage that "defense wins championships" than the University of Delaware men's lacrosse team looks to be in good shape for 2019.

The Blue Hens defensive unit shutout NJIT in the first half and limited them to just four goals in a 12-4 victory on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The 11 goals allowed this year is the second fewest allowed through the first two games in the past 10 years at Delaware.

This marks the first time in seven years (2010-11/2011-12) that the Blue Hens have started 2-0 in back-to-back seasons.

"I was really pleased our defensive effort today. I thought we really locked in and made them work for every possession. It was really a good unit effort from them. And of course, having Matt DeLuca in goal for us is always a difference maker," head coach Ben DeLuca said.

Senior Austin Haynes was outstanding, racking up a school record seven caused turnovers on the day, in addition to grabbing five groundballs. As a unit, the defense had 13 caused turnovers on the afternoon.

Matt DeLuca was once again terrific in goal, racking up 17 saves, the second-highest single game total of his career. He now has 16 double-digit save performances in 29 career games played.

Offensively, Dean DiSimone picked up his sixth career hat trick, leading the way with three goals and an assist on the afternoon. Junior Charlie Kitchen logged two goals and an assist to reach 100 career points. He is the fifth fastest in program history to reach the accomplishment.

"We took a little while to find our groove on the offensive side, but I thought we had guys really step up and get us going there in the second half," DeLuca added. "Dean did a great job of finding ways to make impact plays today and really gave us a good spark."

It was a defensive battle early with the Blue Hens shutting out the Highlanders for the first 30 minutes. It's just the second time in the past 10 years that Delaware has shutout an opponent for the first half.

Kitchen and DiSimone both found the back of the net, along with freshman Kyle Kivinski who scored his first collegiate goal to give Delaware a 3-0 cushion at the break.

NJIT would get one to start the second half, but the Blue Hens responded with vengeance, scoring three goals in less than 90 seconds to quickly push their lead to 6-1.

DiSimone would score two of the game's next three goals to make it a 8-2 game early in the fourth quarter.

Goals from Kivinski, Joe Eisele and Jackson Finigan would put the game out of reach with an 11-3 lead with under five minutes to play.

Freshman George Ward would score his first collegiate goal in the final 70 seconds to seal the 12-4 win for the Blue Hens.

Up Next

Delaware will have its 2019 home opener next Saturday when it hosts Monmouth at Delaware Stadium at 12 p.m.