TOWSON, Md. -- The University of Delaware women’s soccer team earned its first Colonial Athletic Association victory Sunday afternoon as the Blue Hens dropped rival Towson University 1-0 at the Tiger Soccer Complex.

Delaware (4-5-2, 1-1 CAA) scored the lone goal of the match in the 76th minute when freshman Gabby Johnson buried a penalty kick. The Hens were awarded the kick when Hannah Specht was tripped up inside the Towson (3-6-2, 0-1 CAA) 18-yard box.

Delaware senior goalkeeper Kailyn Rekos was not tested all afternoon as the goalie faced just four TU shots, none of which landed on goal, to notch the shutout.

The Blue Hens return to action Thursday night at CAA foe Northeastern. Kickoff from Parsons Field in Brookline, Mass. is slated for 6 p.m.

Head Coach Mike Barroqueiro:
“I’m proud of the trajectory of our group is heading towards the past few days. We started the weekend feeling like we let one slip away, but our response in the two training sessions plus today’s performance were steps in the right direction. In the CAA we are going to need to really work hard and earn everything. Today we did that from start to finish, and it was a complete game. The PK was a well-earned opportunity. We’ve been focusing on movement in the final third and Hannah Specht made a very unselfish run to get into space and draw the foul. Then Gabby Johnson, a freshman, stepped up and buried the kick which was a gutsy moment for her. I’m very proud.”

HEN SCRATCHINGS:
• Delaware improves to 16-7-2 all-time against Towson
• The Blue Hens attempted a penalty kick for the first time this season
• Half of Delaware’s 10 goals have been scored by freshmen
• Barroqueiro earned his first career CAA victory
• Johnson scored her second goal of the season

MEDIA INFORMATION: Contact Andrew Stern | Anwstern@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-6519 | Cell: 914-589-9666