Second Half Surge Propels No. 12 Delaware to Comeback Win

Friday, April 2

Newark, DE

12:00 PM

University of Delaware

7-1, 4-0CAA

Fairfield

2-5, 0-4CAA

Fairfield

DELAWARE

Photo by: Mark Campbell

Second Half Surge Propels No. 12 Delaware to Comeback Win

4/2/2021 3:02:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

NEWARK, Del. – For the second straight outing, the No. 12 University of Delaware men's lacrosse team went into the half trailing and completely flipped the script in the final 30 minutes to pull off a come-from-behind victory.

The Blue Hens (7-1, 4-0 CAA) trailed 8-5 at halftime and outscored the Stags, 11-3, in the second half to secure the 16-11 CAA home victory and preserve the winning streak. With seven straight victories, Delaware has now posted the program's longest regular season win streak since the 2006 campaign, when the Blue Hens opened the year with a 7-0 mark.

Mike Robinson played a major role in the Blue Hens' comeback efforts opposite the Stags (2-5, 0-4 CAA). The second-year attack scored five goals in the third quarter alone and finished the contest with a game-high seven to go along with an assist, four ground balls and a caused turnover.

Delaware also received contributions on the offensive side of the ball from a bevy of others, including Charlie Kitchen, who capped his afternoon with six points on three goals and three assists. The Marlton, N.J., native moved into fourth all-time in program history in career points, took sole possession of fourth in career goals and ranks now seventh in career assists.

Tye Kurtz came away with three helpers of his own and notched a pair of scores, while Mark Bieda had a three-point outing on two goals and an assist. Cam Acchione and Drew Lenkaitis also found the back of the net once each in the win.

Logan Premtaj was a spark for the Blue Hens and had himself a day. The rookie won 12-of-16 faceoffs after being inserted into the game late in the second quarter. Eleven of his faceoff wins came in the second half and allowed Delaware to continuously control possession.

Defensively, the Blue Hens shut down the Fairfield offense in the second half as the Stags were held scoreless in the third quarter and limited to just three in the fourth, with a pair of the goals not coming until the closing 1:19 of play. Owen Grant continued to be a force, posting a team-best three caused turnovers to move into fourth all-time in program history. Aidan Fritz and Joe Speers also got involved and tallied two caused turnovers apiece.

Delaware led 3-2 with 10:24 remaining in the first half before Fairfield found its rhythm. The Stags rattled off four unanswered goals in less than two minutes to go ahead 6-3. The Blue Hens countered with a pair of scores by Bieda and Acchione, but Fairfield got the goals right back and went into the break leading 8-5.

A completely different Delaware team came out in the second half and immediately went on the attack. Fueled by Premtaj's success at the faceoff, the Blue Hens won six consecutive faceoffs and went on a 7-0 run that spanned the entirety of the third quarter.

Fairfield finally got back on the board with a score within the first two minutes of the final frame, but the Blue Hens put in four straight to extend the advantage to seven, 16-9. The Stags found the back of the net twice in the closing 1:19 of play, however, it was too late as Delaware went on to capture the 16-11 home win to remain unbeaten at home and in CAA play.

The Blue Hens will look ahead to next weekend and prepare for a noon CAA tilt against Drexel at Delaware Stadium on April 10.