University of Delaware Athletics
Saturday, March 23
Ann Arbor, MI
12:00 p.m.
University of Delaware
16
at
13
University of Michigan
Photo by: Ryan Griffith
Blue Hens Win 16-13 Thriller at Michigan
3/23/2019 4:33:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Road wins requires everyone.
That's exactly what the University of Delaware men's lacrosse program got on Saturday with six different guys finding the back of the net and a defensive stand leading the way to a thrilling 16-13 win in Ann Arbor over Big Ten foe Michigan.
"Our staff is incredibly proud of our team and their efforts to earn a tough, hard-fought road win. Our guys hustled for the entire 60 minutes, the offense was clicking and our defense did enough and made the plays when they needed to in order to get the win," head coach Ben DeLuca said. "I think what we are most proud of today is the toughness and fortitude that this group showed down the stretch. The leadership from our captains and upperclassmen was a critical piece of coming away with the victory."
Offensively, senior Dean DiSimone set a new career-high with six goals on the day, including his 50thcareer goal. Freshman Tye Kurtz continued his outstanding season with four goals and an assist, while junior Charlie Kitchen extended his goal scoring streak to 26 with three on the day.
Defensively, freshman Owen Grant was stellar once again with four caused turnovers and three groundballs, while junior Matt DeLuca reached double-digit saves yet again with 10 on the day.
Sophomore Joe Lenskold had a great day at the X with 17 faceoff wins and a career-high 16 ground balls.
"Dean was terrific today, he had a tremendous focus all game and may have played the best game of his career. I thought Joe [Eisele] and Charlie [Kitchen] really played great and helped set the tone and lead our offense as well," DeLuca added. "Once again, Matt was stout in goal for us and I really thought our seniors [Alex] Brunner and [Thomas] Aloe led us defensively."
Michigan jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead with two in the first two minutes of the game, but Delaware would respond with goals from DiSimone and Kurtz.
The teams would then trade pairs of goals, including DiSimone's second goal in the final minute of the quarter to make it 4-4 after the first.
Kitchen would lead a Blue Hen onslaught in the second quarter, scoring three of the team's six goals in the 15-minute span to give Delaware a 10-8 cushion at the break.
Michigan clawed back to a one-goal game at 10-9 with a goal 22 seconds into the second half, but a goal by DiSimone sparked a four-goal run that gave the Blue Hens a 14-9 lead.
Delaware would push its lead to 16-11 in the final 10 minutes before the Wolverines got two late goals to make it a 16-13 final score.
"Today was a big step for us as a program. We really relied on each other and fought for the entire 60 minutes. It's always great to end non-conference play on the right note," Eisele added. "We're pleased with the result today, but our sights are now on Fairfield."
Up Next
The Blue Hens will enter CAA play next weekend with a trip to Fairfield University on Saturday, March 30. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
That's exactly what the University of Delaware men's lacrosse program got on Saturday with six different guys finding the back of the net and a defensive stand leading the way to a thrilling 16-13 win in Ann Arbor over Big Ten foe Michigan.
"Our staff is incredibly proud of our team and their efforts to earn a tough, hard-fought road win. Our guys hustled for the entire 60 minutes, the offense was clicking and our defense did enough and made the plays when they needed to in order to get the win," head coach Ben DeLuca said. "I think what we are most proud of today is the toughness and fortitude that this group showed down the stretch. The leadership from our captains and upperclassmen was a critical piece of coming away with the victory."
Offensively, senior Dean DiSimone set a new career-high with six goals on the day, including his 50thcareer goal. Freshman Tye Kurtz continued his outstanding season with four goals and an assist, while junior Charlie Kitchen extended his goal scoring streak to 26 with three on the day.
Defensively, freshman Owen Grant was stellar once again with four caused turnovers and three groundballs, while junior Matt DeLuca reached double-digit saves yet again with 10 on the day.
Sophomore Joe Lenskold had a great day at the X with 17 faceoff wins and a career-high 16 ground balls.
"Dean was terrific today, he had a tremendous focus all game and may have played the best game of his career. I thought Joe [Eisele] and Charlie [Kitchen] really played great and helped set the tone and lead our offense as well," DeLuca added. "Once again, Matt was stout in goal for us and I really thought our seniors [Alex] Brunner and [Thomas] Aloe led us defensively."
Michigan jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead with two in the first two minutes of the game, but Delaware would respond with goals from DiSimone and Kurtz.
The teams would then trade pairs of goals, including DiSimone's second goal in the final minute of the quarter to make it 4-4 after the first.
Kitchen would lead a Blue Hen onslaught in the second quarter, scoring three of the team's six goals in the 15-minute span to give Delaware a 10-8 cushion at the break.
Michigan clawed back to a one-goal game at 10-9 with a goal 22 seconds into the second half, but a goal by DiSimone sparked a four-goal run that gave the Blue Hens a 14-9 lead.
Delaware would push its lead to 16-11 in the final 10 minutes before the Wolverines got two late goals to make it a 16-13 final score.
"Today was a big step for us as a program. We really relied on each other and fought for the entire 60 minutes. It's always great to end non-conference play on the right note," Eisele added. "We're pleased with the result today, but our sights are now on Fairfield."
Up Next
The Blue Hens will enter CAA play next weekend with a trip to Fairfield University on Saturday, March 30. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
Highlight: MLAX Alumni Game - 10/20/23
Saturday, October 21
Highlight: MSOC vs. William & Mary - 9/9/23
Wednesday, September 13
Highlight: MLAX vs. Stony Brook - 2023 CAA Championship
Tuesday, May 09
Highlight: MLAX vs. Towson - 2023 CAA Semi-Finals
Tuesday, May 09
