Photo Courtesy of Chris Permar

Boxscore

NEWARK, Del. - The University of Delaware field hockey team took advantage of two goals off penalty corners to win its fifth straight game with a 2-1 victory over California on Sunday afternoon at Rullo Stadium.

The five-game streak is the longest for the Hens since they started the 2007 season with seven straight victories.

Delaware (5-2) got on the board early off a penalty corner as Missy Woodie stopped a Rae Everson feed at the top of the circle allowing Casey Howard (at right) to rip a shot over the outstretched keeper.

The first half closed with a breathless moment for Delaware as Michelle Drummonds turned aside a Lisa Lohre shot off a penalty corner as time expired. Drummonds’ defensive save was her third of the season, marking the most by a Blue Hen since Erica LaBar had five in 2004.

Halfway through the second half, Cal (2-4) took advantage of its only shot on goal of the game, leveling the score on an outstanding individual effort by Jessica Kreck. The Golden Bear sophomore forward slid the ball around a defender and slipped a shot past a sprawling Noelle Diana.

Delaware stuck with what worked in the first half and struck again on the same play with just over seven minutes remaining in regulation. Howard ripped another goal after the ball was stopped by Woodie off an Everson feed on a penalty corner. With the score, the Hens grabbed a 2-1 lead and would never relinquish it.

Howard’s second goal was her conference-leading 10th of the year and her league-leading 23rd point of the young season.

Her second goal also extended Delaware’s streak of games with multiple goals to seven - a feat last accomplished when the squad had nine such efforts in a row from November 6, 2004 – September 9, 2005.