Hannah Faulkner and Ines Delpech scored goals in Kent State's win against Delaware.
NEWARK, Del. -- Winning its first NCAA Tournament game in program history, Kent State (11-10) secured a 2-1 victory against Delaware (13-9) Wednesday afternoon. Kent State is now just one of sixteen teams in the nation with games left to play.
"I just couldn't be more proud of this group," head coach Kathleen Wiler said. "They have so much to give and played with heart and passion and energy. At this point in the year, everyone who plays in these games is talented. We are so passionate and we just went after it. We are so happy to have this win today for our Kent State family."
All the action came in the first half of the match. Seniors Hannah Faulkner and Julia Hofmann showed they weren't ready to let their season end at the 11:38 mark when Hofmann fed Faulkner for her 20th goal of the year to give the Golden Flashes an early lead.
The host team was able to answer 11 minutes later, but Ines Delpech scored the game-winner on a corner play five minutes before halftime off assists by Hofmann and Alayna Harris.
The Blue Hens outshot the Flashes 13-9, but Andrea Rinehart's outstanding game in net with eight saves kept Kent State in the lead. Senior Sami Surdy also was determined to keep the game on Kent State's side as she notched a defensive save on a shot that came with one minute left in the match to seal the victory.
