DOVER, DE. (September 14th, 2009) -A penalty kick from Chelsea Brown in the 72nd minute was the difference as the Delaware State Hornets picked up their first victory of the season 1-0 over the VMI Keydets on Monday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
"I'm very happy for our girls for getting a result today," said head coach Nitan Soni. "The positive attitude of our team really pushed us through, and it is well deserved. We now need to carry this momentum forward for Friday night against Delaware, and for the rest of the season."
Both teams were locked in a tactical and defensive struggle early, with neither side relenting or finding much space through the midfield. Attacking midfielder Kelsey Gibson had the Hornets best chance of the first half, with her 1 v 0 opportunity with Keydet keeper Angela Redmond being shut down from just inside the penalty area. Jeanette Salgado's low strike from the left wing in the 12th minute also forced Redmond off her line to turn it aside. VMI managed six shots for the opening period, with the three on frame easily turned aside by Hornet goalie Brittany Curtis.
The second half saw a continued defensive battle until the 72nd minute, when striker Candace Wyre had her back to goal and the ball at her feet, but was charged by the VMI backline just to the left of the penalty spot. Referee Ross Kleinstuber quickly and definitively pointed to the mark to indicate the foul, and the chance was slotted away by junior defender Chelsea Brown low and to Redmond's left. It was a just result for a half that saw the Hornets control the run of play, taking five shots to none for the Keydets.
Delaware State looks to keep the winning going as they head up Route 1 to take on their intrastate rival Delaware Blue Hens on Friday at 5:00pm in Dover. For more information on DSU Soccer, check out DSUHornets.com throughout the season.
