Aug. 29, 2008

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. - The Lafayette women's soccer team gave host Delaware all it could handle on Friday evening before a 56th minute goal gave the Blue Hens the 1-0 victory in the opening game of the weekend tournament.

For the second consecutive game, it was the Leopards who took control of the game from the opening kickoff, as they moved the ball into the Blue Hen defensive zone, forcing a corner kick at the 2:58 mark of the opening half. Lafayette senior defender Jenny Polak took the corner and found the feet of classmate Lauren Hinkel, who hit the top of the crossbar, nearly giving the Leopards the game's opening goal.

Back-to-back saves by senior goalkeeper Hannah Fink kept the game scoreless through the first 10 minutes.

Both teams exchanged chances throughout the remainder of the first half, with Lafayette's best opportunity coming on its second corner of the evening in the 30th minute. Hinkel's cross made its way to freshman Janelle Pierson, who shot just wide of goal and out of bounds.

The Leopards kicked off the second half with the same intensity they brought to the opening minutes of the game when sophomore Olivia Hawes' shot was blocked, but followed up by freshman Julia Bell. Bell placed the shot on goal, forcing Delaware goalkeeper Allie Bevan to make the save.

The Blue Hens got on the board in the 57th minute when Alli D'Amico used a Laura Klebe goal to give Delaware the 1-0 lead.

Fink split the game with sophomore goalkeeper Brittany Futterknecht. Fink posted five saves in the opening 45 minutues, while Futterknecht grabbed four stops of her own.

The Leopards will use tomorrow to regroup and prepare to face Towson on Sunday afternoon. Gametime is set for 12 p.m. in Newark, Del.