University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
9-3-5, 3-2-3
Charleston
6-6-5, 2-4-2
Men's Soccer Earns Playoff Spot with a Victory Over Charleston
10/28/2023 5:08:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware men's soccer team punched its ticket to postseason play after the Hens defeated the College of Charleston 2-1 Saturday afternoon.
For the first time since 2019 and just the second year under head coach Tommy McMenemy, Delaware will have the chance to compete for the CAA championship.
COACHES QUOTE
- "We're so happy that this group of players gets to extend their season and compete for a championship. They worked so hard today and they have all season long, and now they've earned their reward," head coach Tommy McMenemy said. "It was an excellent performance in difficult conditions, and we looked dangerous for 90 minutes, which is always our goal. It certainly helped to have the support of so many of our families and friends in the stands. We'll take a quick moment to celebrate this step, but tomorrow the focus shifts to Thursday's playoff game."
HEN HIGHLIGHTS
- Sam Donnellan and Carlos Fernandez each tallied two points with a goal.
- Adam Vik recorded three saves.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Delaware took the early lead after Donnellan scored just five minutes into the game. The Cougars' goalkeeper Eric Wnorowski punched out Donnellan's first header attempt but the ball went right back to Donnellan who found the net on a diving header to the bottom right corner.
- Fernandez added to the 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute when he scored after taking the ball away from Charleston and firing a shot to the opposite corner.
- The Blue Hens took the 2-0 lead into the half and held on until Leonardo D'Ambrosio put the Cougars on the board with just four minutes left on the clock.
- Delaware's defense denied Charleston the opportunity to score the equalizer and the 2-1 victory sent the Blue Hens into postseason play.
UP NEXT
Delaware returns to action in the first round of CAA playoffs next Thursday.
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Team Stats
Sam Donnellan (9)
Assisted By: TJ Hastings , Sean Smith
GOAL by DEL Donnellan, Sam Assist by Hastings, TJ and Smith, Sean.
05:58
Carlos Fernandez (8)
Assisted By: Richard Monath
GOAL by DEL Fernandez, Carlos Assist by Monath, Richard.
32:59
Leonardo D'Ambrosio (6)
GOAL by COC D'Ambrosio, Leonardo.
85:41
