(Dover, Del.) – The Delaware State women's soccer team (3-8) turned in its best offensive performance of the season Wednesday afternoon, in addition to its third shutout victory, as the Hornets triumphed over the visiting Saint Peter's Peacocks (1-8), 3-0.

“We said coming into today that if we were going to win, it had to be a shutout,” said head coach Kerri Scroope.  “We knew it was going to be a tough one with the wind playing a huge factor, so hopefully we can build from here.”

To get things started, forward Paige Wilcox (4) connected for unassisted goal during the fifth minute, when Peacock goalkeeper Lauren Solene tried to clear the ball, but her attempt bounced off Wilcox at close range for the score.

Later in the period, same score, defender Taylor Pratcher sent a sharp corner kick near the front of the Peacocks' net during the 40th minute, resulting in forward Chelsea Boursiquot (3) scoring her second header goal of the season.

At the break, the Hornets controlled the pace by registering five shots, while the DSU defense limited the Peacocks to no attempts.

After intermission, Delaware State put the match out of reach during the 63rd minute, when midfielder Morgan Pottinger made a pass to a streaking Wilcox on the right wing in the Peacock zone.  With a defender trailing, Wilcox was unable to get off a shot, but the ball found its way in the grasp of forward Emma Cain (1) for the goal.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Peacocks picked up their intensity in the second stanza to finish with 11 shots, compared to the Hornets' 10.  Nevertheless, DSU registered a season-high in points (9), goals (3), assists (3) and corner kicks (16).

Wilcox, who finished with a game-high six shots, said after the game she hopes the squad can keep up this style of play the rest of the season.

“We have to keep playing fast and to our level we're capable of, instead of playing to the level of our competition.”

Goalkeeper Katelyn Koslosky, meanwhile, collected a game-high four saves to secure her eighth career shutout win.  

“Koslosky is a big leader for us and without her, we would struggle a little bit,” said Scroope.  “She's a voice back there and she sees everything, so whether she touches the ball or not, she's still leading back there with her voice and she's directing everyone which is huge.”

Coming up, the Columbia Blue & Red will wrap up their season-long three-game homestand next Thursday evening (7 p.m.) against VMI.