WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The
William and Mary men's soccer team defeated the reigning Colonial Athletic
Association champion Delaware, 3-2, on Saturday night from Martin Family
Stadium at Albert-Daly Field. After the
Blue Hens netted the night's first two goals, the Tribe erupted for three
unanswered scores en route to the victory.
The win improves the College's record to 4-10-3 overall and 2-4-2 in CAA
action, while UD falls to 3-11-4 on the season and 1-5-3 in league play.
In first-half action, Delaware jumped out to an early lead
when sophomore Tobias Muller headed in junior Roberto Gimenez's cross in the
sixth minute. The Tribe responded with a
quality look in the 10th minute.
Sophomore Zachary Montebell was on the verge of tying the affair, but
his attempt from inside the six missed just right of goal. The Blue Hens managed to extend their cushion
to 2-0 after junior Vincent Mediate stole possession and punched home his
second goal of the season from eight yards away in the 18th minute.
Needing an answer, the Green and Gold got what it was
looking for when freshman Jackson Eskay put W&M on the scoreboard in the
40th minute. From the right end line,
redshirt-freshman Chris Dunn found the Damascus, Md., native, who then
proceeded to shelve his first collegiate goal. The assist marked the first points of Dunn's
career as well. At halftime, both squads
had generated five shots, two corner kicks and one save.
In the 60th minute, the Tribe netted the equalizer and once
again it was Eskay who provided the result.
On a free kick from 35 yards out, junior Chris Perez sent a service to
Eskay, who headed in his second goal of the night, which tied the match at 2-2.
Over the next 16 minutes, both sides battled for possession
and opportunity. However, it was the
Green and Gold who broke the deadlock in the 76th minute. On senior night, it was only fitting that
senior Ben Anderson tallied the game-winning assist on a set piece corner kick
in which junior Will Smith headed in the difference maker. The assist was Anderson's 11th career and
fifth of this season, while the goal was Smith's second of the year and first
career game-winner.
In only his fourth career start, sophomore keeper Alex Harrington
finished the night making five saves.
Senior Edward Barr who was playing his last game at Martin Family
Stadium at Albert Daly Field, played 11 minutes and was instrumental in the
Tribe's first goal on the night.
The Tribe now leads the all-time series against the Blue
Hens, 13-2-1. Additionally, the Green
and Gold improved its mark to 15-1-2 in home finales since 1995.
The College will conclude its regular season on Wednesday, when it
travels to Hofstra for a match scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Fans can follow the Hofstra action online at
TribeAthletics.com with live stats.
