NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware freshman forward Danielle Parker (at right) has been sidelined for the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and torn meniscus, an injury she suffered during practice this past Friday, Dec. 12.

“We are very disapointed we lost Danielle for the season,” Blue Hen head coach Tina Martin said. “I know she’ll work hard to prepare for her return next season.”

The freshman from Phoenix, Md./Dulaney High School, was a big reason for the Blue Hens’ 5-3 start this season. After making sizeable contributions coming off the bench, Parker cracked the starting lineup in Delaware’s game at Maryland Eastern Shore on Dec. 4 and started the next two games after it as well. Through eight games, she was second on the team in minutes played, averaging 30.3 minutes per game.

The 6-2 Parker was becoming a force in the paint for the Blue Hens, averaging 7.4 ppg, including two double-figure scoring performances against La Salle and Quinnipiac. She led the team and was 14th in the Colonial Athletic Association in field goal percentage at .444 percent on 8-24 shooting from the field. She was also second on the team in rebounding (6.0 rpg), third in steals with 13, and also pitched in seven assists.

The Blue Hens will play their first game without Parker on Monday, Dec. 22 when they go on the road to take on the Big East’s Villanova (5-4) at noon at The Pavilion.