NEWARK, DE -- Delaware freshman Debbie Sloan (right) made her home debut at Rullo Stadium a special one Tuesday night as she scored three goals, including the game-winner with 14 seconds left in the first overtime period, to lead the Blue Hens to a thrilling 12-11 women's lacrosse win over Denver.

The Blue Hens (1-1), who earned their first win of the season, got another outstanding effort from sophomore Casey McCrudden who notched three goals and one assist in the win. Sloan posted a career-high three goals while senior Megan Hager scored two goals and dished out one assist. Denver’s Kristie Leggio scored six goals to lead the Pioneers.

Denver (2-2) took the 1-0 lead 34 seconds into the contest on an unassisted goal by Karen Morton, but Delaware would answer twice on unassisted goals by McCrudden and Sloan to put the Blue Hens up 2-1 at the 26:15 mark. Leggio evened the score, 2-2, at 22:41.

Delaware scored three unanswered goals over the next eight minutes on goals by Kristin Cellucci, Amanda Alrich and McCrudden to give the Blue Hens a 5-2 lead with 14:17 left in the first period. Denver responded with four goals of its own to take a 6-5 lead with 8:01 remaining in the first half until McCrudden posted her third goal of the night to tie the game, 6-6, at halftime.

The Pioneers’ Stephanie Greenless opened the second half of play with an unassisted goal at 26:27 to break the tie and give Denver a 7-6 lead until Delaware’s Cellucci scored her second goal of the night 42 seconds later to even the score, 7-7.

Leggio added two goals for Denver and Sloan notched a goal for the Hens to make it a 9-8 game with 14:38 left to play. Leggio scored to make it 10-8 before Hager cut the lead to one with 8:55 left in the contest. Leggio scored her sixth and final goal 38 seconds later before Hager and Diana each scored a goal to make it 11-11 with 1:47 left in regulation.

In the first overtime period, Sloan scored an unassisted goal with 14 seconds left on the clock to secure the win. Delaware and Denver remained scoreless in the second overtime period.

Delaware’s Jessica Cerveny entered the game in goal with nine minutes remaining in regulation and for both overtimes to make four saves and allow only one goal.

The Blue Hens will host Rutgers University at home on Saturday, March 4 for a 1 p.m. game.

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