(Dover, Del.) – A pair of second half goals by forwards Ayanna Smith (1) and Bri Musco (1) Sunday afternoon, pushed the Delaware State women's soccer team (2-4-1) past the visiting Manhattan Jaspers (4-3) with a 2-1 thrilling victory at Alumni Stadium.
With this win, the Hornets not only secured their first home victory of 2015, but it was their first triumph over the Jaspers in program history. The Jaspers, meanwhile, dropped their second in a row, after entering the weekend on a three-game winning streak.
“Well, we were possessing a lot and we were maintaining the tempo of the game,” said head coach Kerri Scroope of team's first half efforts. “My message was simple and I told them that we need to come out in the second half and that this game is ours and they definitely did that.”
After a scoreless first stanza, which featured DSU tallying one shot attempt to Manhattan's five, the Hornets took a 1-0 lead during the 63rd minute, when midfielder Elise Pratt sent a soaring kick towards the Jaspers' net. As a result, Manhattan goalkeeper Kelly DiGregorio's attempt bounced off a charging Smith, as the ball made its way into the net.
“I just saw the play developing and I just followed through,” said Smith, who is in her first year in a Hornet uniform after spending the previous two seasons at Southern Connecticut State. “I just used my speed and got to it and then I saw the keeper about to kick it and just following through.”
Delaware State's second goal, meanwhile, occurred slightly over two minutes later, when midfielder Danielle Valente sent a pass to a striking Musco on the left wing. After controlling it, Musco put it past a diving DiGregorio, giving the Hornets a 2-0 advantage.
“Dani gave me a great ball, I anticipated it and I just slotted it past the goalie,” said Musco. “It felt great and it felt even better to get the win.”
However, Manhattan did not go down without a fight. With just under 10 minutes remaining, after a foul by DSU in its own territory, midfielder Nicole Aylmer (1) fired a free kick past goalkeeper Michele Lammers from about 35 yards out.
Nevertheless, the Hornets kept the Jaspers at bay to hold on for the victory. When the final buzzer sounded, DSU tallied 10 shots in the second period, led by Musco's game-high four attempts. Lammers, meanwhile, collected a game-high four saves.
Coming up, the Columbia Blue & Red will wrap up their busy stretch of playing three matches in five days against American this Tuesday evening (7 p.m.) at home.
