Aug. 26, 2005

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - A bit of misfortune was the difference Friday night's season opener at Finnesey Field as the Saint Joseph's women's soccer team fell 1-0 to Delaware on a first-half own goal.

The Hawks and Fightin' Blue Hens started off aggressive in the opening stanza as both squads recorded four shots apiece in the opening 20 minutes.

In the 27th minute, Delaware's Caitlyn Germain launched a shot that glanced off the Hawks' senior goalkeeper Nicole DiEnna and bounced to her right. Saint Joseph's freshman defender Jeanne Neal tried to gain control of the ball and blooped the ball back towards DiEnna. Unfortunately for Saint Joseph's, the ball sailed over DiEnna's head and into the net to put Delaware ahead 1-0 at 26:21.

The Fightin' Blue Hens held their 1-0 lead into the half as they out shot the Hawks 3-0 over the final 18 minutes.

Delaware maintained momentum for most of the second half, as it would record nine more shots, with DiEnna making four saves for Saint Joseph's. The Fightin' Blue Hens defense limited the Hawks to only four second-half shots and none over the final nine minutes.

For the game, Delaware out shot the Hawks 17-9, with Lindsey Shover making three saves to earn the shutout. DiEnna was the hard-luck loser, making seven saves for Saint Joseph's.

Offensively, senior Alisha Paine led the way for the Hawks with three shots, while classmate Jess Daugherty and junior Megan Schutt each added two shots.

Germain led all players with five shots on the night.

With the loss, Saint Joseph's falls 0-1 on the season, while Delaware improves to 1-0.

Saint Joseph's returns to action Sunday, August 28 at Villanova at 1 p.m.