No. 19 University of Delaware Men’s Lacrosse Looks to Continue Undefeated Conference Slate Saturday at Saint Joseph’s
April 15, 2011
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
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• PHILADELPHIA -- The University of Delaware men’s lacrosse squad will be looking to stay atop the Colonial Athletic Association standings and remain unbeaten in league play Saturday when the No. 19 ranked Blue Hens travel to take on Saint Joseph’s at 1 p.m. at Finnesy Field.
The defending league champion Blue Hens (8-4, 3-0 CAA) are the only unbeaten team in the CAA in league play and could clinch a berth in the four-team CAA playoffs with a victory over Saint Joseph’s coupled with a loss today by Drexel at Massachusetts.
Saint Joseph’s, a first-year member of the CAA, will be looking to win its first game of the season as the Hawks enter with a record of 0-9 (0-4 CAA) and have lost five straight at home. Delaware has won all 10 previous meetings vs. the Hawks, including all five at Finnesy Field.
The Hens will be looking to start league play with four straight wins for the first time since joining the CAA in 2002 and for the first time since 2000. Delaware has also defeated eight straight league opponents, the longest success streak for the Hens since downing 11 straight America East conference foes between 1998 and 2000.
Delaware has won three of its last four games as the Hens bounced back from a 10-4 setback to then No. 11 Villanova last Saturday with a 14-11 victory over Dartmouth Tuesday in Danbury, Conn. Junior Nick Diachenko led that effort vs. Dartmouth with four goals while Grant Kaleikau recorded a six-point day on two goals and four assists. John Mills also scored twice while Eric Smith had a goal and three assists.
The Hens, who are looking to reach the nine-win mark for the sixth time in the last seven years, are led offensively by Smith (17 goals and 17 assists) and Kaleikau (10 goals and 18 assists) and defensively by senior defender Pat Dowling and senior goalkeeper Noah Fossner (9.19 goals per game allowed and .520 save percentage). Fossner, an All-CAA netminder, needs just 10 saves to reach 500 for his career.
Saint Joseph’s, which is coming off an 11-3 setback to then No. 8 Hofstra last Saturday, is ranked last in the CAA in offense, scoring just 4.67 goals per game. They are paced on the offensive end by Kyle Williams with 14 goals while goalkeeper Chris Moffa has allowed 12.29 goals per game while posting a .449 save percentage.
