Feb. 12, 2005

Box Score

NEWARK, DE - After a tight opening quarter, Delaware (1-0) erupted for seven second period goals to overpower Saint Joseph's (0-1) in the season opener for both schools at Rullo Stadium, 18-3. Three different Hawks tallied in the loss.

The game was the first men's collegiate game played this season, marking the second straight year that Delaware and Saint Joseph's met in the nation's first official game. Delaware has now downed Saint Joseph's in all five meetings.

Saint Joseph's got goals from juniors Keegan Wilkinson and Andrew Four as well as sophomore Mike O'Neill.

Delaware wasted little time in getting on the board, winning the opening faceoff and firing a shot past SJU goalkeeper Dan Morrissey just six seconds into the game.

The Hens went up 2-0 on a goal by Howard with 3:26 remaining in the first half but Saint Joseph's answered with its first score as Four tallied to cut the lead to 2-1 to end the first quarter. Powers scored his first goal just under three minutes into the second quarter, but the Hawks countered with a goal by O'Neill with 8:48 left to cut the lead to 3-2.

But it was all Delaware after that as the Hens reeled off six straight goals to end the half up 9-2. SJU finally ended an 18-minute scoring drought with a goal from Wilkinson with 5:07 left in the third period, but the Hens came back to score the final eight goals of the game.

Delaware enjoyed a wide 47-13 advantage in shots and 52-24 in groundballs. UD senior midfielder Dave Powers recorded his first career hat trick and also dished out an assist and five other Blue Hen players netted two goals each for the Hens.