NEWARK, DE -- Senior striker Sobhan Tadjalli (right) scored just nine minutes into the first half and freshman goalkeeper Conrad Rusnak made 10 saves in his first career start as the University of Delaware men's soccer team stunned CAA front-runner Old Dominion, 2-0, on Friday night at the UD Mini-Stadium.

Tadjalli, the Hens’ leading scorer last season with nine goals, had yet to find the net this year until the 8:39 mark, when he settled a feed from freshman midfielder Demar Stephenson, raced into space, and booted a long, high shot past Monarch goalkeeper Evan Newton to give Delaware a 1-0 lead it would never relinquish.

The Monarchs showed why they’re ranked fifth in the South Atlantic region in the latest NSCAA/adidas poll, controlling the action throughout and firing 15 shots. But Rusnak, who hadn’t played a minute before Friday night, was up to the task. He made several spectacular saves and rushed out of the box on more than one occasion to thwart an ODU attack.

Cavalier, a transfer from Pittsburgh, scored the first goal of his Delaware career in the 83rd minute, pounding home a penalty kick after Tadjalli was fouled in the box on a breakaway.

Second-year head coach Ian Hennessy was proud of his Blue Hens, who improved to 3-11-2 on the year (3-5-1 CAA) and stayed in the hunt for a berth in the conference tournament.

“Tonight we showed a very strong commitment to winning,” Hennessy said. “With a little more poise, we maybe could have had a couple more goals. I would like to have seen a little more soccer in the end, but I am very proud of the players in beating a very good ODU side. We have played games this season where we have played exceptionally well but lost, so this is a turnaround for us.”

Stepehnson and Tadjalli took two shots apiece to lead the Hens, while defender David Horst notched four shots for ODU.

Old Dominion (10-6-1, 7-2-0 CAA) had beaten Delaware in their last nine meetings and hadn’t lost to UD since 1976. The Hens snapped ODU's two-game win streak and have gone 2-1-1 after beginning the season 1-10-1.

Delaware returns to the field on Sunday, when the Blue Hens celebrate Senior Day by hosting William & Mary at 1 p.m.

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