Drexel University
Delaware
Drexel Wins CAA Regular-Season Title with 4-2 Win at No. 17 Delaware
11/1/2009 4:00:03 PM | Field Hockey
Newark, Del. - The Drexel field hockey team used a pair of early goals from Jen Cairone to down No. 17 Delaware, 4-2, in both teams' season-finale. The victory broke the Dragons' tie with the Blue Hens at the top of the Colonial Athletic Association standings. Drexel, ranked 10th in the nation, finishes the regular season at 17-2 overall and 6-1 in the CAA. The 17 wins this season are a new program record. The loss moved Delaware to 12-5 overall and 6-2 in the conference.
Cairone's early scoring barrage stunned the Blue Hens as the hosts were down 2-0 just 3:15 into the game. The junior's first goal came after taking a pass from Christina Mastropaolo while her second strike happened exactly two minutes later on an assist from Carolina Gibernau. The Dragons continued to put pressure on the Delaware defense while the Blue Hens' best chances came on counterattacks. Drexel made it 3-0 when senior co-captain Jennifer Bolger rocketed a shot into the cage on a penalty corner. Mastropaolo and Gibernau were awarded assists on the play. Delaware finally got on the board after a Jenna Phillips save on a penalty corner kicked out to Kimmy Schlezes who pushed a shot into the right side of the cage.
After halftime, Drexel looked to ice the game with increased offensive pressure. Finally the Dragons got the insurance they were looking for when Cairone sent a centering pass from the right side to Mastropaolo in front who deflected the ball into the cage. The goal was Mastropaolo's 27th of the season as she claimed the league's scoring title. Delaware scored the game's final goal after the home squad was awarded a penalty stroke late in the game. Casey Howard converted the stroke in the left side of the cage with less than two minutes to go.
Drexel will host the Colonial Athletic Association championships starting on Saturday, Nov. 7 as the Dragons will face fourth-seeded Hofstra. The other semi-final will pit No. 2 seed Delaware against No. 3 James Madison. The winner of each game will meet on Sunday, Nov. 8 at Buckley Field.
