(Dover, Del.) – In what was the final regular season match for both squads, the Delaware State women's soccer team (4-12-1) snapped a four-game losing skid Wednesday night at Alumni Stadium, behind three first half goals to come away with a 3-0 shutout victory over the visiting Howard Bison (10-9-1).
“It's definitely what we needed going into the tournament Friday night,” said second-year head coach Kerri Scroope. “To beat the team that clinched the SWAC, I think we made a statement of showing what we're really capable of.”
To get things started, DSU's Julia Bossert sent a pass across from the left wing deep in HU territory near the front of the net, resulting in forward Chelsea Boursiquot (4) giving her squad a 1-0 advantage during the seventh minute. Forward Emma Cain was also credited with an assist.
Boursiquot (5) and Bossert later connected again, this time during 19th minute, when Bossert sent a sharp cross from around the midfield line with Boursiquot controlling the ball at close range and firing it past by HU's Kyra Dickinson for the goal.
With these two scores, Boursiquot, who was honored along with three other DSU players before the game for Senior Night, not only tied Savitre Bachoo (2006) for most goals scored in Hornet single-season history, but passed Bachoo to set a new team single-season mark for most points (12).
“I haven't scored in a while, so I figured if I get these two goals in it'll help my confidence going into this weekend's tournament,” said Boursiquot, who is also DSU's all-time leader in goals (14) and points (30).
Delaware State later capped off its stellar half with less than 30 seconds to play by way of midfielder Danielle Valente (1) connecting from about 30 yards out after receiving a short pass from forward Franny Farella.
Howard, who clinched the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season championship on Sunday after a convincing 6-0 win over UAPB, upped its intensity in the second period by holding the Hornets to two shot attempts and tallying four shots of its own.
Nevertheless, DSU's defense held steady to secure its fourth shutout win of 2014, led by the stellar play of goalkeeper Katelyn Koslosky, and juniors Tere' Crawford and Morgan Durham.
Koslosky, who controlled the box throughout the entire evening, collected one save, but it resulted in the 381st of her career. With this total, the senior out of East Islip, N.Y., passed Courtney Haas (2007-10) to become the program's all-time leader.
“I was very happy with my performance tonight,” said Koslosky, who is also DSU's all-time leader in shutouts (7.2). “I'm glad that my team played for me tonight and the rest of the seniors.”
Coming up, the Columbia Blue & Red will host the Independent Conference Tournament this weekend with the likes of NJIT, Francis Marion and South Carolina State set to take part.
