PHILADELPHIA -- Saint Joseph’s Nicole Antonini scored what proved to be
the game-winning goal with just 3:36 remaining in the first half as the No. 19 ranked University of Delaware field hockey squad suffered a 2-1 upset loss Friday night.

Delaware, playing for the first in a week following a 4-1 win over Rutgers last Friday that vaulted the Hens into the top 20, fell to 4-3 on the season while Saint Joseph’s improved to 4-2.

The Blue Hens, who had won five of their last seven meetings with the Hawks, including a 4-1 win last year, will return to action Sunday at Lafayette for a 1 p.m. game in Easton, PA.

Delaware opened the scoring just three minutes and 41 seconds into the contest when junior Lindsey Piester (Stafford HS/Fredericksburg, VA) -right- was awarded a penalty shot. Piester fired a shot past goalkeeper Rebecca Cunfer for her first career goal to give the Hens the 1-0 lead.

Saint Joseph’s tied the game up at 1-1 with 14:09 left in the opening half as Katelyn O’Brien tipped in a shot by Maryann Reis and then took the lead for good just under 10 minutes later when Antonini scored the game-winner off a feed from Marissa Pizzi.

Delaware managed four shots on goal and four corners in the second half but could not put the ball in the net. Blue Hen goalkeeper Megan Allen recorded two saves while Cunfer had four stops for the Hawks.

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