Boxscore

Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware men’s soccer team overpowered Georgia State University, 4-1, on senior day during Colonial Athletic Association action at the Delaware Mini-Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

Delaware (7-12-0 overall, 4-7-0 CAA) tallied a pair of scores in each half while outshooting Georgia State (4-10-1 overall, 2-9-0 CAA), 21-10, en route to victory.

Senior midfielder Darren Christie (at right) and defender Kyle Davis were honored prior to the game, along with senior athletic trainer Collin Francis.

“I am thrilled for Darren [Christie] and Kyle [Davis] that we managed to notch our seventh win on the season. I am also pleased that we were able to do so in convincing fashion scoring four goals -- some of which were terrific,” commended fourth-year head coach Ian Hennessy.

Delaware’s seven wins are the most since the Blue Hens’ 2001 team, under direction of head coach Marc Samonisky, went 7-11-1 while in the American East Conference.

The Hens got off to a strong start notching the game’s first goal in the 18th minute. Christie gathered a long-ball from freshman Roberto Vernaschi and dribbled around a pair of defenders before lacing a shot into the upper right-hand corner of goal, past Panthers’ keeper, Zachary Walldorff.

The Blue and Gold went ahead by two at 32:32 when Vernaschi was unassisted in collecting his own deflected shot to put back to the left of goal from three yards out.

Despite trailing 2-0, Georgia State returned from the half-time break and pressured the UD defense led by Davis. At 48:53, Panther forward Caleb Kernan caught Delaware goalkeeper Brandon Paul out of goal and fired a shot on point, though freshman Eyal Gruber was in position to make the stop.

Georgia State scored its lone goal in the 63rd minute on a corner kick conversion. Eric Lawrence served a ball into the box where Christopher Peacos was able to gather the feed and place the ball into the back of the net from the left post.

With its lead cut to one, Delaware regrouped and marched down field to largely dictate play in its offensive third for the remainder of the physical contest.

At 72:40 junior Demar Stephenson chanced again reinstating the two-goal cushion when he booted a shot on goal, but Walldorff managed to save it with his foot. Two minutes later, the Delaware lead was extended when Christie found the feet of junior Ben Rodkey who fired a shot from the right side of play into the upper left-hand corner of goal.

With the Hens’ third goal came a second wind that led to Delaware finalizing all scoring at 88:49 when Stephenson tallied a goal on Christie’s second assist of the day. Christie sent a cross ball to Stephenson who placed a shot to the inside of the goal’s frame where the left post and crossbar intersect to score.

With Rodkey’s goal, and backed by Stephenson’s, Delaware recorded its highest-scoring match of 2009. This season Delaware had notched no more than two goals in a game prior to Georgia State’s visit; a target that they hit on six occasions. In fact, UD had not tallied four goals in regular-season action since a 7-2 win over Mount St. Mary’s on Sept. 15, 2004.

Paul earned his fifth win of the season making one stop for the Hens. Walldorff made 11 saves for the Panthers.

“I truly feel that the program is beginning to see some light and I know that history will support this. Both Darren and Kyle have worked so hard to give us a foundation. We are grateful for this and the spirit they have brought to the program. We wish them continued success as I know they will both go on to bigger and better things in their lives,” concluded Hennessy.

This afternoon’s game concluded the Hens’ 2009 campaign as the Hens look to finish tied for eighth or in ninth place in the CAA pending the conclusion of other league contests. This finish defies the twelfth-place preseason placement the Hens received in the August poll.

AGATE:

Georgia State....0.....1........1
Delaware...........2.....2........4

Scoring Summary: First Half: UD - Darren Christie (Roberto Vernaschi) - 17:34, UD - Roberto Vernaschi - 32:32; Second Half: GSU - Christopher Peacos (Eric Lawrence) - 62:28, UD - Ben Rodkey (Darren Christie) - 74:41, UD - Demar Stephenson (Darren Christie) - 88:49; Shots: UD - 21, GSU - 10; Corner Kicks: UD - 5, GSU - 1; Saves: UD - 2 (Brandon Paul, 1), GSU - 11 (Zachary Walldorff, 11); Fouls: UD - 14, GSU 21; Offsides: UD - 0, GSU - 1.