University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
5-0-1
Saint Joseph's
2-4-0
Men’s Soccer Downs the Hawks for Best Season Start in Nearly a Decade
9/12/2023 9:54:00 PM | Men's Soccer
PHILADELPHIA – The University of Delaware men's soccer team is off to its best start since 2014 after defeating Saint Joseph's 2-1 in Philadelphia Tuesday night. The Hens are now 5-0-1, six games without a loss, the same number the 2014 squad recorded with six victories.
COACHES QUOTE
"We needed everyone tonight, it was a true team effort. We had some huge contributions from guys who haven't played a ton of minutes to this point in the season," said Head Coach Tommy McMenemy. "It was disappointing to concede because we felt we limited their opportunities enough to keep a clean sheet, but we're young and will continue to learn from those moments. Our response was excellent though, we stayed calm and the boys showed their character once again."
PLAYER QUOTE
"I'm very proud of the teams performance today. It was a hard fought win and we showed some real character being able to win 2-1 after being down 1-0 in the second half. I'm happy we were able to get another win but now we have to shift our focus to Saturday and prepare for our next challenge," said fifth year senior Alvin Halley.
HEN HIGHLIGHTS
- Carlos Fernandez and Einar Hardarson each tallied two points with a goal.
- Cristobal Granada recorded his first career assist.
- Eddie DeMarco remains undefeated with two saves on the night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The game remained scoreless through the first half and up to the 49th minute when the Hawks slipped a header past DeMarco.
- The Hens tied the game just two minutes later when Granada fed a ball toward the middle that found Fernandez who laid a touch to the back of the net.
- In the 76th minute, Hardarson blasted a shot to the top left of the goal and successfully past the Hawks' keeper to put the Hens up 2-1.
- Delaware's defense remained strong as it denied any further opportunity the Hawks had.
GAME NOTES
- Mikey Johnson, Luke Chatten, Thaddeus Glasser, and Ethan Williams recorded their first career starts.
UP NEXT
Delaware returns to action on Saturday evening with a game at Stony Brook.
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Team Stats
Blake Driehuis
Assisted By: Bart Kooistra , Alex Hartmann
GOAL by SJU Blake Driehuis (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Bart Kooistra and Alex Hartmann.
48:18
Fernandez, Carlos
Assisted By: Granada, Cristobal
GOAL by DELAWARE Fernandez, Carlos, Assist by Granada, Cristobal.
51:48
Hardarson, Einar
GOAL by DELAWARE Hardarson, Einar.
74:44
