Easton, Pa. (Aug. 19, 2016) --- Lafayette scored an early goal and never looked back in a 4-0 victory over Delaware State in a women's soccer match this evening. The contest was the season opener for both teams.
It also marked the debut of new Hornet head coach Delaware native Kortney Rhoades, a standout at Padua Academy in Wilmington before a successful career at the University of South Carolina. Rhoades was an assistant coach at Division II Colorado Mesa before accepting the DSU job this summer.
The match was in its second minute (1:49) when Lafayette's Melissa Lynsky scored off feeds from Kaelin King and Gabrielle Martone to give the Leopards a 1-0 lead.
The score held up for the next 28-and-a-half minutes. Lafayette got off six shots during the span, three of which were saved by DSU goal keeper Michele Lammers.
The Leopards struck again in the 31st minute. Once again Lynsky found the net off a pass across the goal by King to open up a 2-0 lead.
Lafayette pulled ahead 3-0 when King fired a shot past Lammers off a pass from Alex Stanford in the 39th minute.
Delaware State was able to get off its first shot of the match in the final minute of the period, but Alexa Gibbs' attempt was high.
The Leopards led 3-0 at the break.
Lammers made two saves early in the second period, but Lafayette scored its final goal on a shot by Joanna Scotti off a corner kick in the 67th minute.
DSU's best scoring chance came on a header by Braxton Clark, but by Lafayette goal keeper Danielle Sadillo made the save.
Lammers had nine saves in the contest for the Hornets.
Delaware State will be back in action on Sunday for the home opener against Temple. The match begins at 1 p.m. at Alumni Stadium. The Hornets are also home for the following contest on Aug. 28 Hartford (1 p.m.).
