Early First Half Deficit Trips Up Hens, Fall 2-0 to Pennsylvania
Sept. 4, 2011
• Boxscore
File Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell
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PHILADELPHIA – After falling behind 2-0 in the first half, the University of Delaware women's soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of the University of Pennsylvania Sunday night at Rhodes Field.
“It’s a shame we came out so slow in the first half,” said 22nd year head coach Scott Grzenda. “Against a team like Penn, you need to be on your game. I felt the team responded well to the half time talk. We created a number of crosses and chances in the box.
The Quakers (2-0-0) jumped out to a 1-0 lead just a minute and a half into the first period and scored an insurance goal in the 25th minute to secure the victory.
A stifling defensive effort from Penn held Delaware to just three shots during the game, spread out over three different Hens. Leigh Victory managed the only shot on goal for Delaware while sophomores Shannon Kearney and Chelsea Duffy (at right) each trigged one attempt.
The Hens (1-3-1) split time in goal, with senior Breanna Stemler getting the start as sophomore Jess Levy played the second half, making all three of Delaware's saves.
Pennsylvania also split time in goal between starter Sarah Banks, who stopped the only shot she say all evening, and Caroline Williams. Each Quaker played 45 minutes.
The Quakers, the 2010 Ivy League Champions, got their goals from Ursula Lopez-Palm on an assist from Kerry Scalora and Marin McDermott, who turned on a pass from Brianna Rano.
McDermott, who put up three shots while Scalora and Berry posted two each, paced Pennsylvania’s offense. No Quaker managed to tally multiple shots on goal.
“Tuesday we’ll start preparing for Siena,” said Grezenda of his team’s first home match since the season opener on Aug. 21. “It will be a nice tone to get back on our home field.”
The Hens return to Delaware Mini-Stadium Sept. 9 when it hosts the Saints of Siena College at 7 p.m. for the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
