TOWSON, MD -- Sophomore Matt Laudeman (at right) scored two goals as the University of Delaware men’s soccer team defeated Loyola (MD), 3-2, Friday afternoon at the Towson Kickoff Classic in the Blue Hens’ season-opener as first-year head coach Ian Hennessy was victorious in his coaching debut.

Delaware picked up its first win in its season-opener since a 1-0 triumph over Lehigh in 2002, and the victory was the Blue Hens’ first over Loyola since 1982 as UD improved to 4-10-1 all-time against the Greyhounds.

Loyola took the early lead when Ziggy Kamara scored on a cross from Omar Alfonzo just 11:56 into the match, but Laudeman answered for Delaware as he scored off a rebound from 15 yards out at the 23:58 mark to tie the contest.

Junior Sobhan Tadjalli scored off an assist from Loyola transfer Michael Bratus with 30:38 remaining in the match to give the Blue Hens the lead, and just 15 seconds later Laudeman made it a 3-1 game by taking a pass from senior Anthony Molinaro and blasting a shot from 25 yards out past Greyhounds goalkeeper Justin Chelland.

Loyola’s Rade Kokovic cut the lead to one when he scored off a direct kick with 13:47 to play, but the Blue Hen defense would hold off the Greyhounds as Delaware earned the win in the 1,000th match in school history.

Blue Hen sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Thames made seven saves in the Delaware net while Chelland stopped four shots for Loyola, which held a 19-13 shot advantage and a 6-1 edge in corner kicks.

Delaware returns to action on Sunday on the second day of the Kickoff Classic when the Blue Hens face Adelphi, which fell to Towson, 1-0, in Friday’s other match. Sunday’s contest will begin at 1 p.m.

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