Second Half William & Mary Rally Cuts Delaware's Season Short as Blue Hens Suffer 2-1 Loss in CAA Semifinals
November 4, 2011
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
• Boxscore
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WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- After pulling out a 1-0 win in the Colonial Athletic Association quarterfinals on Thursday night, the University of Delaware women’s soccer team fell to a second-half surge against top-seeded William & Mary by a score of 2-1 in the conference.
The Tribe earned the right to face second-seeded VCU in the Virginia 529 College Savings Plan CAA championship on Sunday.
Delaware got its lone goal from junior forward Ali Miller (at right), who tied the single-season scoring record with 14 on the year. The Tribe earned its pair of goals from the league’s Player of the Year, Mallory Schaffer.
"Playing two teams with the caliber of William & Mary and Hofstra and play as well as we did is a credit to our players' ability and desire," said Delaware head coach Scott Grzenda, who concluded his 22nd season at the University. "I cannot be prouder of the effort these kids have shown since August and how they have come together and improved to the point where we are playing great soccer. Just wish it could continue a little bit longer."
The Hens (10-7-4) came out hard early as Miller put away her second goal of the championships in the eighth minute. Her 14th marker of the season, Miller tied the program’s single-season goal record with Pickard getting credit on the assist.
Miller and Pickard have developed quite the rapport with one another this season. On half of Miller’s goals, Pickard has tallied the assists. Of Pickard’s eight goals in 2011, seven have gone to Miller. The junior has two assists on the season, both of which have gone to Pickard.
Miller’s goal would stand as the only tally through the first 45 minutes of play as Delaware led going into the break 1-0. Delaware held a clear advantage in the offensive half during the first period, outshooting the Tribe 8-2 with three shots on goal. Miller had four of Delaware’s shots in the half.
The Tribe (16-2-2) knotted the action early in the second half as Schaffer collected a rebound inside the box and pushed it home, bringing the action to a 1-1 tie. Diana Weigel was given the assist after sending in the initial free kick.
Schaffer extended the Tribe lead to 2-1 after poking in her second goal of the night. Dani Rutter and Erin Liberatore earned the double assists.
In the first semifinal game, No. 2 VCU earned a spot in the CAA championship match after knocking out sixth-seeded Northeastern 1-0. The Tribe will face the Rams on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The winner earns the league’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division I women’s soccer tournament.
