Boxscore

Photo courtesy of Mark Campbell

NORFOLK, Va. -- The University of Delaware fell to regionally-ranked host Old Dominion University, 3-0, in each team’s Colonial Athletic Association opener on Friday evening at the Old Dominion Soccer Stadium.

In the Sept. 22 National Soccer Coaches Association of America rankings, Old Dominion (7-1 overall, 1-0 CAA) received national votes while also earning a No. 3 spot in the South Atlantic regional poll.

In route to winning their fourth in a row, the Monarchs proved their strength early. ODU got on the board in the 17th minute on a breakaway to beat the Hens’ (2-6 overall, 0-1 CAA) defense and find the back of the net. The Monarchs then tallied their second at 22:41 on a header to take a two-score advantage.

The Blue Hens were able to fire-off four shots, to ODU’s seven, in the first period, though could not break through the Monarch defensive wall.

The Blue and Gold held the host squad for the remainder of the half and trailed by two at the break.

Delaware looked to get on the board early in the latter half when awarded a corner kick at 47:33. Senior midfielder Darren Christie (at right) connected with the serve to lace a shot on goal, however the Monarch keeper made a crucial save to keep a two-goal cushion.

The Monarchs finalized all scoring in the 69th minute when they converted on a corner of their own.

ODU outshot the Hens, 14-5, and took eight corners to the visitors’ four.

"ODU is a very good team and tonight their finishing quality was the difference, scoring two marvelous goals,” stated Blue Hen head coach Ian Hennessy. “They will prove difficult to beat at home and that’s one of the reasons Alan's (Dawson) program is picked among the favorites to win the CAA annually."

“The atmosphere and facilities in the CAA are second-to-none. In my opinion this is one of the best college soccer environments to play in nationwide,” concluded Hennessy.

Making his third-straight start, freshman Brendan Paul made four saves in goal for the Hens.

Delaware returns to non-conference action on Tuesday, Sept. 29 when they host La Salle University in a 7 p.m. game.

AGATE:

ODU.................................2...1.....3
Delaware..........................0...0.....0

Scoring Summary: First Half: ODU - Mars Keomahavong (Yannick Smith, Steffen Rabben) - 16:21, ODU - Steffen Rabben (Yannick Smith) - 22:41; Second Half: ODU - Jordan LeBlanc (Nick Foglesong) - 68:28; Shots: UD - 5, ODU - 14; Corner Kicks: UD - 4, ODU - 8; Saves: UD - 4 (Brandon Paul), ODU - 1 (Evan Newton); Fouls: UD - 7, ODU 10; Offsides: UD - 2, ODU - 3.