STANFORD, CA -- Freshman Casey Howard scored two goals to lead the University of Delaware field hockey team to a 5-1 victory over Stanford University Tuesday afternoon.

The Blue Hens improved to 3-0 with the win, while Stanford dropped to 0-2 on the year. Delaware has started the season with three straight wins for the first time since the Blue Hens won four straight to open the 1997 season.

Howard started the scoring attack, taking a pass from Nikki Hinsley and beating Cardinal goalkeeper Madison Bell 6:04 into the game. Howard gave Delaware a 2-0 lead by scoring an unassisted goal off of a rebound at the 12:07 mark to post her team leading fourth goal of the season. Junior Kaili Kao scored the first goal of her collegiate career off an assist from Katie Evans with 11:20 left in the first half, helping Delaware take a three-goal lead into halftime.

Stephanie Swain scored her second goal of the year off an assist from Evans 16:19 into the second half to put the Blue Hens up 4-0, before Stanford got on the board when Bailey Richardson scored off of a corner off assists from Missy Halliday and Julia Drewes with 12:48 to play. Senior co-captain Amber Deimler capped the scoring with her first goal of the year off of Amy Brewer’s first career assist with 4:37 left to play in the game.

Megan Allen made one save for the Blue Hens, while Bell and Sarah Scheller combined for five saves in the Cardinal goal.

The Blue Hens, who improved to 3-1 all-time against Stanford, held a 14-10 advantage in shots, while Stanford held a 4-3 edge in penalty corners.

Delaware will host the Blue Hen Classic Saturday and Sunday, opening against Duke Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday hosting Richmond at 2:30 p.m.

Boxscore