NEWARK, Del. - Delaware (8-0-1) continued their strong start to the season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Massachusetts (4-3-3) on Saturday afternoon at Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium. The match featured intense back-and-forth action with both teams creating quality chances throughout the 90 minutes.
The scoring opened in the first half when Delaware took advantage of sustained pressure, though Massachusetts would equalize before the break. The Blue Hens found their winner in the second half, maintaining their unbeaten record while handing the Minutemen their third loss of the season.
The first half saw Delaware establish early control, with Mikey Johnson testing the Massachusetts defense with two shots in the opening five minutes. The Minutemen responded through Aidan Kelly's low drive in the 18th minute, signaling their attacking intent. Matt Cence nearly put Massachusetts ahead in the 28th minute with a shot that sailed just high, while Marius Stenner created several dangerous opportunities for Delaware as the half progressed.
The second half intensity increased immediately as both teams pressed for advantage. Richard Monath threatened for Delaware with a shot in the 76th minute that went high right, while Ivan Vrh responded for Massachusetts with an attempt in the 83rd minute that missed wide. The match's decisive moments came in the final fifteen minutes as Delaware's tactical adjustments proved crucial in securing the victory.
Delaware held a slight edge in shot attempts (14-13) while both teams managed four shots on target. The Blue Hens dominated the corner kick count 7-1, indicating their territorial advantage throughout the match. Three yellow cards were shown - two to Delaware (Joe Richards in the 55th minute and Mikey Johnson in the 76th) and one to Massachusetts' Aidan Kelly (76th minute).
Marius Stenner was particularly influential for Delaware, recording multiple shots including a dangerous attempt in the 78th minute. Matt Cence led the Massachusetts attack with several quality chances, while Shane Velez provided creative spark in midfield. Both goalkeepers were tested throughout, with Delaware's keeper making two crucial saves and Massachusetts' stopping three shots.
The tactical battle showcased Delaware's effective use of wide areas, evidenced by their seven corner kicks. Massachusetts adjusted well after halftime, with substitutes John Paul Mbuthia and Thomas Wadas adding fresh energy to their attack. Delaware's defensive organization, particularly after taking the lead, proved crucial to the final result.
This victory maintains Delaware's impressive unbeaten run, while Massachusetts will look to regroup after seeing their recent positive momentum halted. The Blue Hens' ability to secure close victories has been a hallmark of their season, now standing at 8-0-1. For Massachusetts, despite the loss dropping them to 4-3-3, their competitive performance against an unbeaten team showed promise.
Both teams face quick turnarounds with matches on September 30. Delaware travels to Lehigh looking to extend their unbeaten streak, while Massachusetts heads to Holy Cross aiming to bounce back from this defeat. The match officials maintained good control throughout, with their measured approach to bookings helping maintain the game's flow despite its competitive nature.
The result further cements Delaware's position as one of the conference's top performers this season, while Massachusetts showed enough quality to suggest they'll remain competitive in upcoming fixtures. The narrow margin of victory reflected the evenly matched nature of the contest, with both teams demonstrating why they're expected to factor in the conference race.