The University of Delaware men’s lacrosse team are on a roll with now winning four straight games to start the season with Tuesday’s 14-6 win against the Saint Joseph’s University Hawks at Delaware Stadium.
It is the first time since 2008 that the Blue Hens have started the season with a 4-0 record.
Three Blue Hens recorded hat tricks in the game and they were freshman midfielder Tye Kurtz (5 goals) , junior attacker Charlie Kitchen (4 goals ) and senior attacker Joe Eisele (3 goals).
Along with five goals, Kurtz had three assists, eight points, 10 shots and five ground balls in the win.
Along with four goals, Kitchen had two assists, six points, seven shots, one ground ball and three turnovers in the game.
Along with three goals, Eisele had two assists, five points and eight shots in win.
Junior attacker Bryce Reid scored two goals in the Blue Hens win against the Hawks. Reid also had one assist, three points and four shots.
Eight Blue Hens had picked up multiple ground balls in the win and they were junior defender Zach Strassner (7), Kurtz (5), senior defender Austin Haynes (5), sophomore face off specialist Joe Lenskold (5), junior midfielder Ryan Shaw (5), freshman defender Kevin McCormick (2), senior midfielder Thomas Aloe (2) and sophomore midfielder Wade Oursler (2).
Zach Strassner also caused three turnovers in the win against St. Joes.
Blue Hens junior goal keeper Matt DeLuca had a tough day as he had five allowed goals, 12 saves and earned the win in 58:03 minutes of play.
Freshman goal keeper Peter Ripperger took over for DeLuca as he allowed one goal and had one save in 1:57 minute of play.
Kurtz & Eisele Combine For Four Goals As Delaware Takes Lead In First Period
The first goal of the game came from Delaware’s Tye Kurtz who was assisted by Charlie Kitchen and that would give his team a 1-0 lead.
Five minutes later, The Hawks would tie the game up with a goal from Nate Patterson who was assisted by Evan Campbell.
Then about a minute later, Joe Eisele would score a goal for the Blue Hens to give them a 2-1 lead with 8:45 left in the period.
Three minutes later, Saint Joseph’s would answer back with a goal from Matt Popeck who was assisted by Liam Hare which tied the game up at two with 6:11 left in the period.
Delaware did not take long to respond as their scoring drive started with Joe Lenskold winning the face off and Wade Oursler picking up the ground ball.
It would be followed by Kurtz scoring his second goal of the period which was assisted by Bryce Reid. Kurtz’s goal would give the Hens a 3-2 lead with 5:09 left in the first period.
Hens Eisele would score his second goal of the period for the Hens with four seconds left which was assisted by Kurtz. Eisele’s goal would give the Blue Hens a 4-2 lead to end the first period.
Hens Score Three Goals In Second Period To Increase Lead Over Hawks
The second period started with the Hens Joe Eisele scoring his third goal of the game which was assisted by senior midfielder Jackson Finigan. Eisele’s goal would increase the Hens lead to 5-2 with 10:10 left in the half.
Delaware then scored another goal at the 9:06 minute mark which came from Bryce Reid to give the Hens a 6-2 lead.
The Hens were not done yet as the team scored their third straight goal when Charlie Kitchen scored which was assisted by Tye Kurtz. Kitchen’s goal increased Delaware’s lead to 7-2 with 8:01 left in the second period.
The Hawks would add one goal to their name in the second with a goal from Teo Domic in the man-up situation. Domic was assisted by Nate Patterson which the goal decreased the Hens lead to 7-3.
The second period would end with the Hens leading 7-3 over the Hawks.
Kurtz Scores Three Goals As Delaware Grows Lead In Third Period
The third period started with the Hens Tye Kurtz scoring his third goal of the game which was assisted by Joe Eisele. Kurtz’s goal increased the Hens lead to 8-3 with 13:55 left in the period.
Two minutes later, Kurtz teammate, Charlie Kitchen would score his second goal of the game to give Hens a 9-3 lead with 11:54 left in the period.
Then around the 11:54 minute mark, Delaware would start another scoring drive with Joe Lenskold winning the face off and picking up the ground ball. A failed attempt at the goal would follow but Kitchen would pick up the ground ball. Kurtz would follow that up with his fourth goal of the game which was assisted by Kitchen. Kurtz’s goal would give the Hens a 10-3 lead with 10:45 left in the period.
Delaware would score their fourth straight goal when Kurtz scored his fifth goal of the game which was assisted by Eisele. Kurtz’s goal increased Hens lead to 11-3 with 7:05 left in the period.
Hens would score their fifth straight goal of the period when Bryce Reid scored a goal in a man-up situation which he was assisted by George Ward. Reid’s goal would have the Hens end with a 12-3 lead in the third period.
Kitchen Scores Two Goals In Fourth Period As Delaware Seals Dominant Win
The fourth period started with the Hawks Nick Vernacchio scoring a goal which decreased the Hens lead to 12-4.
Saint Joseph’s scored their second straight goal about a minute a later when Liam Hare scored a goal which decreased Hens lead to 12-5 with 10:25 left in the game.
Kitchen would score his third goal of the game which was assisted by Tye Kurtz and that would give the Hens a 13-5 lead with 5:58 left in the game.
Delaware would score their second straight goal of the period when Kitchen scored his fourth goal of the game which was assisted by Jackson Finigan. Kitchen’s goal would give the Hens a 14-5 lead with 5:05 left in the game.
The game would end with the Hawks Zach Mantei scoring a goal which would end the game with the Hens winning 14-6.
Delaware goes on the road to take on Villanova on March 2nd at 1 PM ET.
Team Stats:
Shots: UD 49 & SJ31
Shots on Goal: UD 27& SJ19
Saves: UD 13& SJ13
Turnovers: UD 16 &SJ20
Clears: UD 24-27& SJ16-20
Ground Balls: UD 41& SJ24
Face Offs: UD 11& SJ 12
Extra Man Opportunities: UD 1-3& SJ1-4
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