Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Delaware
Dragons Topple 18th-Ranked Delaware on Senior Day, 15-9
4/22/2007 3:57:41 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Philadelphia – Drexel defeated 18th-ranked Delaware, 15-9, in the Dragons' final Colonial Athletic Association contest of the season. Prior to the game, Drexel honored seniors Nicole Adams (Jackson, N.J./Jackson), Kelly Benzing (Severna Park, Md./Mt. De Sales), Emily Hoesch (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley), Kerry Kelly (Roseland, N.J./West Essex) and Susan Seborg (Severna Park, Md./George Washington). Hoesch and Kelly each scored four goals while junior Katie Bradley (Spring City, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) contributed two scores and three assists. The win improved Drexel's record to 11-5 overall and 3-4 in the CAA. The three conference victories are the most ever by the Dragons since joining the CAA in 2002. Delaware dipped to 9-5 overall and 5-2 in the conference.
Both offenses came out firing as the Dragons put two goals on the board within the first three minutes while the Blue Hens responded with three of their own over the next three minutes. Kelly tied the game at 21:35 with her second goal of the game before Delaware reclaimed the lead on a goal by Katie Muth just 31 seconds later. Drexel rattled off three goals over the next three minutes in quick succession to take a 6-4 lead midway through the first half. With neither defense able to stop the opposing offense, the Dragons got a boost after what appeared to be a setback for Drexel. Goalie Lauren LaBella was given a yellow card for a foul in the area as Delaware was awarded an eight-meter shot. Since LaBella was carded she had to leave the field for the next three minutes while backup goalminder, Rachael Behrndt (Glenmoore, Pa./Downingtown East) entered the game. Delaware's free-position shot was blocked and Behrndt stymied the Blue Hens the rest of the half. She made four saves to stall the Delaware offense while Drexel's attack remained potent. Hoesch would tally her first goal of the game with 10:59 remaining in the first half while Kelly added another with just under three minutes remaining. With Behrndt's boost in goal along with the Drexel offense, the Dragons headed to halftime with an 8-4 lead.
Delaware was able to string a pair of goals together early in the second half as LaBella re-entered the game after Behrndt's only goal allowed in over 15 minutes of play. Drexel's Kaitlin Keegan (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) answered with her second goal of the game and 20th of the season. Delaware's Casey McCrudden scored one of her two goals three minutes later, but the Dragons would tally six of the game's next seven goals to put the Blue Hens away and hand Delaware just its second conference loss of the season. Hoesch earned seven draw controls in the game while Kelly added four groundballs, two caused turnovers and a pair of assists. Junior Sarah Carter (Columbia, Md./Long Reach) contributed three assists. Delaware's Courtney Aburn tallied a team-high three goals while McCrudden added two goals and three assists.
For the game, the Dragons outshot Delaware, 37-27, and picked up 13 groundballs to the Blue Hens' seven. LaBella earned the win in goal for the Dragons as she made four saves, all in the second half. Jessica Cerveny stopped nine shots for Delaware.
The Dragons will play their season finale against visiting American University on Tuesday, April 24 at 4:00 p.m.
Scoring Summary
DU 8-7-15
UD 4-5-9
Individual Scoring
Drexel: Kerry Kelly 4-2, Emily Hoesch 4-1, Katie Bradley 2-3, Jessica Bill 2-1, Sarah Carter 0-3, Kaitlin Keegan 2-0, Gwenna Johnson 1-0, Nicole Iacono 0-1. Saves: Lauren LaBella 4, Rachael Behrndt 4.
Delaware: Casey McCrudden 2-3, Courtney Aburn 3-0, Katie Muth 1-2, Debbie Sloan 2-0, Emily Schaknowski 0-2, Nicole Flego 1-0. Saves: Jessica Cerveny 9.
Shots: DU 37, UD 27
Groundballs: DU 13, UD 7
Draw Controls: DU 13, UD 13
Free-position shots: DU 1-6, UD 1-3
