Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

NEWARK, Del. - Casey Howard blasted two goals and Noelle Diana stood tall in the cage as the University of Delaware field hockey team pulled off its second straight upset over a ranked opponent as the Blue Hens took down No. 12 Old Dominion, 4-0, at Rullo Stadium on Friday evening.

Howard increased her league-leading goal total to 14, while Tori Karsten and Amanda McCardell (at right) also found the back of the cage to lead the potent Delaware offense. Diana recorded three saves to guide the strong defensive effort.

Delaware took charge late in the first half as Howard took a feed from Kimmy Schlezes and snuck it into the net to break the scoreless deadlock. With the score, Howard continued to serve as the sparkplug for the Hens. She has now opened the scoring for the squad in six contests this season.

Delaware (8-2, 3-0 CAA) rode the momentum of the first goal as the team quickly lit up the scoreboard again less than a minute later after Karsten knocked the ball into the gaping net, assisted by Carli Shutter. The goal was set up by McCardell, who showed outstanding control and creativity carrying the ball on her stick from her own zone all the way down into the opposing half-circle before relaying a pass to Shutter. The sophomore midfielder then slid the ball to an open Karsten, who converted from the doorstep.

Delaware’s breakthrough came after plenty of chances in the first half in which the hosts held a commanding 9-1 shot advantage. The Hens had a slew of chances from the outset, but Old Dominion (5-6, 1-1 CAA), led by keeper Kelly Driscoll, had a staunch defense throughout the period. Driscoll made two big stops, including a glove-handed save midway through the first to keep Delaware scoreless. Moments before the Hens’ first goal, Hannah Warren also made a huge defensive save on a shot by Howard that kept the game level before UD took control.

The second half started off with a furious pace as McCardell continued her pressure, forcing Driscoll to physically take her out of a play to save an easy goal, yielding a penalty stroke. The stroke, taken by Michelle Drummonds, would have snuck inside the inside of the post if not for a sprawling save by Driscoll.

Drummonds redeemed herself shortly thereafter, swatting a high shot out of the air to save a goal. Drummonds, a junior, now has a conference-high five defensive saves on the season.

Delaware got an insurance goal from McCardell, putting a cap on a career day, as she struck a feed from Alexis Esbitt right into the heart of the net. The goal gave McCardell her first career game with multiple tallies on the scoresheet.

The Hens closed out the scoring with Howard’s conference-leading 14th goal of the year after she blasted a shot off a pass from Schlezes. The goal marked the reigning National Player of the Week’s third multiple-goal game this year and put her in sole possession of the conference points lead.

Diana logged her second career shutout, helping Delaware topple the preseason CAA favorite Lady Monarchs. The win gives the Blue Hens their longest win streak since a nine-gamer in 1998 and their first 3-0 conference start since 2004.

Delaware will be back in action tomorrow night as the squad hosts William & Mary at 7 p.m. at Rullo Field.