Delaware Women’s Soccer Nipped by UNCW, 4-3, on Penalty Kicks in First Round of CAA Championships
October 28, 2012
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
• Box Score
-lg.jpg)
WILMINGTON, N.C. – It was a difficult end to a successful season for the University of Delaware women's soccer team Sunday afternoon.
The Blue Hens fell to host UNCW, 4-3, on penalty kicks after taking a 1-1 tie through double overtime in the first round of the Colonial Athletic Association Women’s Soccer Championships on a blustery afternoon at the UNCW Soccer Stadium.
The No. 6 seed Delaware Blue Hens, who had defeated the Seahawks 1-0 back on Sept. 30, ended their season with a 9-8-1 record. Per NCAA rules, both teams that compete in shootout situations are credited with a tie despite one team advancing.
No. 3 seed UNCW improved to 13-6-1 to advance to the CAA semifinals Nov. 2 vs. No. 2 seed Drexel on the campus of William & Mary. No. 1 seed William & Mary will take on No. 5 seed Hofstra in the other semifinal game. The title game is set for Nov. 3 in Williamsburg.
“It was a great game and both teams played their hearts out,” said Delaware head coach Scott Grzenda, who also led his team to the CAA Tournament semifinals in 2011. “We played as well as we could play and created the way we created all year.”
After the teams played to a 1-1 tie through regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods, the game went to a penalty kick shootout. In the penalty kicks format, each team selects five players to shoot on goal with the team that scores the most advancing to the next round of the tournament.
In the shootout, Delaware’s first three kicks by Gina DiTaranto, Anna Lenczyk, and Dianna Marinaro all found their way into the back of the UNCW goal. UNCW goalkeeper Caitlin Hunter stopped the final two shots by UD’s Andie Arnold and Ali Miller (at right) to secure the win. The Seahawks clinched the victory as four of their five shots found the back of the net past Delaware goalkeeper Jess Levy.
“Penalty kicks are something that puts the individual above the team and I think we did amazing on the team side,” Grzenda added. “We went to the penalty kicks and they have an outstanding goaltender who made two saves.”
The Seahawks collected the first goal of the match to take a 1-0 lead at the 6:54 mark after Maddie McCormick gathered a loose ball five yards in front of UD’s goal and knocked it into the lower right corner of the net for her seventh goal of the season.
With less than 10 minutes left in the second half, Delaware’s Miller smashed the ball into the lower right corner of the net from a helpful assist from Laura Klebe for the game-tying goal, 1 1. The goal was Miller's team-high seventh of the season and 29th of her stellar career, the fourth highest total in UD history.
The Blue Hens had several offensive opportunities during the two overtime periods as Delaware outshot UNCW 4-2 in the 20 extra minutes and 19-13 in the match.
Delaware's eight seniors, Tania Domingos, Klebe, Lenczyk, Miller, Melissa Pennington, Polly Reinicker, Taya Richardson, and Taylor Thompson completed their four-year playing career with the Blue Hens.
“Not often do eight teammates make the four-year commitment that these seniors gave to the University,” Grzenda stated. “Their footprint will be a part of this program for years to come.”
Back To Women's Soccer Home Women's Soccer Story Archive
