Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

PHILADELPHIA -- A strong eight-goal first half helped the University of Delaware women’s lacrosse team to a 12-6 victory over host Saint Joseph’s University at Finnesey Field on Wednesday evening.

Delaware (1-1 overall) secured a solid 8-3 lead in the first stint before outscoring Saint Joseph’s (2-2 overall), 4-3, in the second to retain the advantage and capture its first victory of 2010.

Junior midfielder Ali Libertini led the Hens with four goals and an assist, while senior attackman Morgan Marino tallied three scores and senior attackman Courtney Aburn recorded two goals and an assist.

The Hawks were led by sophomore midfielder Grace Dinn and sophomore attack Jen Peters with three and two goals, respectively.

The Blue Hens jumped off to a commanding 4-0 advantage as Libertini (at right) tipped-off all scoring with an unassisted goal just 1:05 into action. Marino would net the next two at 27:14 and 26:32 on assists from junior midfielder Julianna Jeffers and Libertini, respectively. After over 10 scoreless minutes of action, sophomore midfielder Kalyn McDonough went unassisted at 14:43 to secure a 4-0 UD cushion.

Dinn would break the ice for Saint Joseph’s at the 13-minute mark on a Alana Glanell feed, but the Hens would strike again for the fifth and sixth time to take a 6-1 lead at 6:48. Aburn notched her first of two on the night on a free position shot before sophomore midfielder Stephanie Allen went unassisted to register a five-goal lead.

The Hawks recorded another this time from the crosse of Peters on a Julie Mineweaser feed at 4:38, but UD again responded with a pair of their own. Just 17 seconds later Libertini scored before Jeffers capitalized on a Aburn assist to take a 8-2 lead at 3:09. Saint Joe’s closed out scoring on the half as Dinn used a Jenna Martino assist to bring the game within five at the break, 8-3.

The second frame saw less and more even scoring as Delaware outdid the Hawks, 4-3.

UD was first on the board at the 24-minute mark as Aburn reinstated a six-goal lead. Peters then responded for SJU at 20:54 before the Hawks got another from Dinn on a free position play.

Delaware responded with Libertini’s third of the night on a Jeffers feed at 17:55 before Saint Joe’s netted its final of the day. Junior attackman Francesca Volpe went unassisted to bring the Hawks within four, 10-6, but UD closed out all scoring with a pair of goals.

Marino was unassisted at 1:02 and Libertini used a Corrine Drost assist to finalize the score at 12-6 with one second lingering on the clock.

Junior Makenzie Worthington tallied her first win of 2010 making six stops in goal, while SJU keeper, freshman Alisha Aquilino saved seven shots in goal for the Hawks.

UD outshot SJU, 26-18, though both squads tallied nine draw controls. SJU led the Hens in turnovers, 19-18.

Delaware will return to Rullo Stadium to take on Rutgers University on Saturday, March 6 at 3 p.m.

AGATE:

Delaware................8.....4..........12
Saint Joseph’s.......3.....3..........6

Scoring Summary:
Delaware - Libertini, Ali 4 goals-1 assist; Marino, Morgan 3-0; Aburn, Courtney 2-1; Jeffers, Julianna 1-2; Allen, Stephanie 1-0; McDonough, Kalyn 1-0; Drost, Corrine 0-1.
Saint Joseph’s - Dinn, Grace 3-0; Peters, Jen 2-0; Volpe, Francesca 1-0; Glanell, Alana 0-1; Martino, Jenna 0-1; Mineweaser, Julie 0-1.

Shots: Delaware - 26, SJU - 18; Groundballs: UD - 15, SJU - 14; Draw Controls: UD - 9, SJU - 9; Clears: UD 0-0, SJU 1-1; Fouls: UD - 0, SJU - 0; Saves: UD - 6 (Worthington); SJU - 7 (Aquilino); Turnovers: UD - 18, SJU - 19; Attendance: 112.