Box Score NEWARK, Del. – The Sacred Heart men's soccer team hung with Colonial Athletic Association preseason favorites Delaware for 70 minutes Friday night at Grant Stadium, but the Blue Hens scored twice in the in the last 17 minutes to win 2-0 in the season opener for both teams.
Delaware (1-0) controlled play early, forcing Sacred Heart goalkeeper Tucker Hackett (Madison, Conn.) to make two saves in the first five minutes. The Pioneers did settle into the game, putting their first shot on goal in the seventh minute when freshman Matt Manzo (Shelton, Conn.) fired an attempt on goal that was stopped by Borja Barbero. With play being dominated in midfield, the Blue Hens attempted to get on the board when Guillermo Delgado got free inside the 18-yard box but his shot was knocked off target by Hackett in the 34th minute. Sacred Heart quickly countered, with Mahmoud Kafel (Fairfield, Conn.) putting a shot on goal that was saved as well. The Pioneers were outshot 9-3 in the first half, but held Delaware to three shots on goal as Sacred Heart had two.
Sacred Heart (0-1) had the first shot on goal of the second half. Sophomore Shaquille Saunchez (Kingston, Jamaica) let loose an attempt at goal in the 63rd minute that was saved by Barbero. That would be the Pioneers' only shot of the half. Delaware got on the scoreboard in the 74th minute when Nick DiRienzo scored off of a deflection seven yards from goal. The Blue Hens tacked on a second goal in the 82nd minute. Kyle Bruno hit a cross to Ben Asante, who hit a low shot past Hackett to make the score 2-0.
Delaware outshot Sacred Heart 8-1 in the second half, and 17-4 for the game. Hackett made five saves for Sacred Heart, as Barbero stopped three shots for the clean sheet.
Friday night's match was the first of two for Sacred Heart in the Doubletree BWI Invitational. The Pioneers now travel to Baltimore to face #19 UMBC Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. for their second and final match of the tournament.
