Dover, Del. (Sep. 14, 2016) --- Delaware State scored twice in the first 18 minutes and its goal keepers combined for 11 saves in a 2-0 win over St. Peter's at Alumni Stadium this evening.
The Hornets won for the second time in the last three contests to improve to 2-4 this season, while the Peahens fell to 1-4-1.
The win also gives DSU head coach Kourtney Rhoades a tie for the best start by a first-year head coach in team history.
The Hornets drew first blood in the 10th minute (9:49) when Braxton Clark scored her first career goal from close range past St. Peter's goal keeper Taylor McLean off a corner kick from fellow freshman Jasmine Warren.
“We were able to set the tone early in the match and that goal gave us a big lift,” said Rhoades.
It took the Hornets less than eight minutes to double their lead.
This time it was Warren who scored her first career goal on a shot from 20 yards away that bounced over the head of the St. Peter's keeper off a feed from Elise Pratt (sr.) in the 18th minute (17:11).
Warren's goal and assist marked the second time in the last three contests that a Hornet has scored three points in a match. Samantha Bahr (so.) had a goal and assist in DSU's 2-0 win at Wagner on Sep. 2.
Delaware State goal keeper Michele Lammers, with help from the Hornet defenders, kept St. Peter's off the board in the first period. Lammers came up big with back-to-back saves on a kick and a header midway through the period. She had six saves in the opening 45 minutes.
Rhoades inserted sophomore goal keeper Leslie Fazio into the contest at the start of the second period.
“I planned to use both Lammers and Fazio in the match regardless of the score,” said Rhoades. “Both have been playing quite well of late and I wanted to give them equal time tonight.”
Fazio recorded five saves in the second period, including a diving stop on a break-away midway through the frame.
“Although we didn't score in the second period, I was very pleased with our play because our intensity remained high, especially on defense,” said Rhoades, who singled out the play of senior defender Taylor Pratcher in the contest.
The Hornets outshot the Penhens 11-5 in the contest, including 6-1 in the opening period.
After failing to score in the first three matches, the Hornets have tallied six goals in their last three contests.
The Hornets return to action on Sunday (Sep. 18) at UMBC. The match is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Baltimore, Md. DSU returns home next Wednesday (Sep. 14) against Marist. Start time is 7 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.
