Delaware Will get Wholesome, Palms UMBC First Lack of the Season
Tue Mar 7 2023 | Brian Logue | Faculty
Faculty Males Delaware
Tye Kurtz had 4 objectives and two assists as Delaware beat UMBC, 17-11, to snap a two-game dropping streak.
NEWARK, Del. — Mike Robinson solely performed for 21 seconds on Tuesday night time, however the return of the senior helped spark Delaware to a 17-11 victory over beforehand unbeaten UMBC at Delaware Stadium, snapping the Blue Hens two-game dropping streak.
Robinson, the Blue Hens’ main goal-scorer final season, missed the earlier three video games with an damage earlier than coming in for an extra-man alternative late within the first half. Robinson buried his solely shot of the sport, breaking a 7-7 tie to provide the Blue Hens (4-2) an 8-7 halftime lead.
“It’s good to have him again,” stated Delaware head coach Ben DeLuca. “He simply brings a lot to the staff. His presence, it’s so energetic. We’re simply attempting to ease him again in from the damage he sustained. He’s been chomping on the bit, and we’re excited to see him again on the sector.”
One other have a look at Mike Robinson’s man-up purpose pic.twitter.com/9XpFtySQxL
— Delaware Males’s Lacrosse (@DelawareMLAX) March 8, 2023
UMBC got here into the sport main the nation in scoring protection, permitting simply 5.3 objectives per recreation in its 4 victories. Its goalie, Jayson Tingue, entered the competition ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division I lacrosse in each save share (65.5) and objectives towards common (4.82).
Tingue made 9 saves within the first half, however Delaware carried the momentum of Robinson’s purpose and broke the sport open with seven straight objectives to open the second half.
“We actually labored on shifting the ball, sharing it and capitalizing on photographs,” DeLuca stated. “Our offense has accomplished a great job of producing alternatives, however no less than lately, we haven’t accomplished an excellent job of scoring them as a lot as we wish. I believe we did that tonight towards an excellent unit. They slide and get well very effectively. They do an excellent job of creating you progress the ball, not likely giving up unassisted objectives.”
It was a much-needed win for a Delaware staff that entered 2023 with sky-high expectations after reaching the NCAA quarterfinals a yr in the past. Again-to-back losses to Villanova and Michigan had staggered the Blue Hens after three snug wins to open the season.
Delaware has a street journey to Johns Hopkins remaining, however the Hens path again to the NCAA match will possible have to return via the Colonial Athletic Affiliation. Delaware opens CAA play on Saturday, internet hosting league-newcomer Monmouth.
“One by one,” DeLuca stated. “I’m hopeful that our group may have discovered from the expertise we had final yr (dropping its first two league video games) and understands the significance of every convention recreation. Convention is vital for postseason hopes. For us, the principle focus is to get wholesome and get our guys again on the sector taking part in collectively and taking part in at a excessive stage.”
If Robinson can come again wholesome, the Blue Hens will likely be again to that includes probably the most harmful, and unappreciated, assault trios within the nation with Robinson, Tye Kurtz and JP Ward.
“I really like these guys,” DeLuca stated. “They’ve nice chemistry and so they work properly collectively. I believe it’s a great quantity of steadiness with JP behind the purpose, Mike on the left aspect and Tye on the proper aspect. Tye’s simply been implausible for us, significantly in Mike’s absence.”
Kurtz and Ward performed huge roles on Tuesday night time with Kurtz netting a team-high 4 objectives to go together with a pair of assists and Ward allotting three assists along with scoring a purpose.
Delaware defenseman Owen Grant had 4 prompted turnovers to provide him 100 for his profession and Rolan Hockebery received 15 of 25 faceoffs. Matt Kilkeary made 5 of his six saves within the second half as Delaware pulled away.
Mateo Brown led UMBC with 4 objectives and Jordan Galloway and Allen Hockenberry every scored twice. Tingue made 13 saves for the Retrievers (4-1).
