by Daniel Gruber
After a slow start to the game, the Hens earned a tough inter-conference victory over the visiting Hofstra Pride on Saturday (4/13). The victory improved the UD men’s lacrosse team to their best start since 1999, with a 10-2 record.
“I can’t say enough about how proud I am of this group and how focused they stayed throughout the game even when things might not have gone our way. We are continuing to fight and scrap and that’s our mantra.” Head coach Ben Deluca said.
Offensively, the Hens were led by Junior Charlie Kitchen, who had a career day, adding 4 goals and 5 assists for a career-high 9 points on the day. Freshman Tye Kurtz and Dean DiSimone added 7 goals between them, to help the Blue Hens earn an ever-important conference victory.
Hofstra’s Ryan Tierney, one of the most prolific scorers in the CAA, was held in check by the Blue Hen defense with just 2 goals, with the Pride (4-8) struggling to score throughout the contest, including a stretch of over 20 minutes where they were held scoreless.
Junior goalkeeper Matt Deluca was very effective, adding 18 saves on the day, a season-high and the second-best total of his career. He has reached double-saves every game this season. Defensemen Austin Hayes and Zach Strassner also had solid games to help UD in a terrific defensive effort.
“It really starts with us communicating and really working together. As simple as it sounds, I can’t do what I need to do if I don’t have them and they can’t play the way we want to play if I’m not doing my job,” Matt Deluca said.
The game, after a slow start, was within 3-2, but the Hens quickly added two quick goals from Kitchen and Clay Miller, to get the game to 5-2. Hofstra never really got close throughout the rest of the contest, with the Hens going on a 3rd quarter surge both offensively and defensively adding 4 goals and forcing 5 pride turnovers and seeing their lead balloon to 10-4.
The Hens stayed strong in the fourth, adding 3 late goals and staying consistent defensively, to help close out their 4th straight victory 13-7.
The Hens stay at home for their next contest, facing off against the Towson Tigers next Saturday 4/20 at 12pm at Delaware stadium.