Field Hockey Ends Four-Game Skid With 2-1 Win Over American

Sunday, October 1

Newark, DE

1 PM

University of Delaware

(5-7)

American University

(5-5)

American

Delaware

Photo by: Konnor Halsey

Field Hockey Ends Four-Game Skid With 2-1 Win Over American

10/1/2023 4:56:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware field hockey team ended its four-game losing skid as the Blue Hens scored two unanswered goals in the fourth quarter to defeat American University 2-1 in a non-conference match-up Sunday afternoon.

COACH'S QUOTE

"Wow. What a game!", said head field hockey coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "We have been growing and we knew this moment was on the horizon. It just took us a moment to get to it. I'm proud of the fight this team brought against American today," van de Kerkhof continued. "This group believes in each other and regardless of the situation, they work through it and overcome it. Go Hens!"

HENS HIGHLIGHTS

Junior Valentina Martorell scored her second goal in as many games as she scored her first career goal in Friday's matchup against William & Mary.
Senior Berber Bakermans gave the Hens the lead with her fourth goal of the year on a double assist from both Kate Fiest and Morgan Bradford
Kylie Walbert returned to form as the sophomore tallied 12 saves on the afternoon

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Eagles offense put pressure on the Hens early and often as AU outshot Delaware 3-1 in the first quarter but had nothing to show for it
In the second, the Blue Hens offense peppered the Eagles cage with five shots on goal, but could not find a hole past AU goalkeeper Bryn Underwood
Despite only three shots in the second quarter, the Eagles found the back of the Hens cage at the 24:36 mark to take a 1-0 headed to the break
Both offenses cooled off in the third quarter, but in the fourth, the two squads combined for 15 shots
In the fourth, Martorell knotted the contest at one apiece as she hammered a shot just inside the right post off a rebounded save from the Eagles goalkeeper at the 46:31 mark
Four minutes later, Bradford deflected a Fiest pass to Bakermans who took the shot as she dove through the middle and scored to give the Hens a 2-1 edge

GAME NOTES

Walbert's 12 saves are her second most saves in a game this season
Freshman Sarah Rigual made her first-career start in today's game
Cameron Medinger recorded her second defensive save of the season

UP NEXT
Delaware returns to action on Friday, Oct. 6 as the Blue Hens head to Beantown for a CAA bout against Northeastern. Game time is set for 3 p.m.

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