Photo Courtesy of Christopher Permar

Boxscore

NEWARK, Del. -- Sophomore Stephanie Rinschler notched a goal in the 77th minute to lead the University of Delaware women’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory over visiting Virginia Commonwealth University at Delaware Mini-Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Delaware (5-3-4 overall, 2-1-3 CAA) outshot VCU (6-6-2 overall, 2-3-1 CAA), 10-3, en route to the Colonial Athletic Association victory.

UD got off to a strong start, applying early pressure to set the tone for the game.

In a game that was largely played in the middle third of the field, the Hens outshot the Rams, 4-1, in the first period, though it was the visiting squad who came closest to breaking the scoreless deadlock. VCU senior Amanda Adams connected with a feed on a corner kick and fired a shot to the top, center of the goal from 18 yards out. Hens’ goalkeeper Annie Bevan leaped to slap the shot just high of the crossbar and keep the game knotted at 0.

Neither team pieced together a scoring effort in the first 45, before the Hens would return to dominate play, once again, in the second.

Though a give-and-go between freshman Ali Miller and Rinschler (at right) in the 71st minute came up short, the pair teamed to tally the game’s lone goal at 76:26 when Miller sent a pass to the feet of the Delaware native along the left baseline. Rinschler drove the ball to goal, beating one defender before dodging VCU keeper, Kate Hudson, for the score.

Delaware managed to net only one, though recorded various other opportunities in the second. Junior Morgan Warrington tiptoed around multiple defenders and served the ball to senior Catilyn Germain in the 61st minute. As Germain paced towards the ball, Hudson approached to scoop it up and prevent the attacking threat.

UD applied additional offensive pressure on the Rams’ following the goal, and laced two shots on point. Despite the added step in its game, Delaware was not able to hit the target to go up by two.

Bevan made two stops in goal on the day, as she recorded her sixth shutout of 2009, while Hudson made three saves for the Rams.

“Today we put forth an unbelievable effort for a Sunday game,” said veteran head coach Scott Grzenda. “The girls came back out in the second half and played like we hadn’t played in a week.”

Delaware will return to CAA action on Friday, Oct. 16 when it travels to Towson for a 3 p.m. CAA match.

AGATE:

VCU...........0.....0........0
Delaware....0.....1........1

Scoring Summary: First Half: None; Second Half: UD - Stephanie Rinschler (Ali Miller) - 76:26; Shots: UD - 10, VCU - 3; Corner Kicks: UD - 2, VCU - 3; Saves: UD - 2 (Annie Bevan, 2), VCU - 3 (Kate Hudson, 3); Fouls: UD - 12, VCU 13; Offsides: UD - 4, VCU - 0.