Spring Break
Men's lacrosse upsets No. 14 Delaware
Brett Fischer
Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Sports
Men's lacrosse made sure that it didn't blow a four-goal lead to its biggest rival and the team ranked 14 in the country.
Despite a ranking in the low 30s, Drexel remained one of the hottest teams in the country as it defeated No. 14 Delaware 11-7, April 7 at Vidas Field.
Andrew Chapman led the Dragons (8-3, 2-0 Colonial Athletic Association) with three goals and one assist, while Jon Van Houten, Colin Ambler and Filippone each scored two goals.
"Considering last year, how we lost so many one-goal games, it was a huge win," Van Houten said. "We lost to them by one last year and everyone was really motivated for this game. We wanted to redeem ourselves."
Delaware (6-4, 1-1), had the game locked at seven apiece, but Drexel's defense was too overwhelming.
The Dragons held the Blue Hens without a goal over the final 21 minutes in the second half en route to their victory.
Chapman, Drexel's leading scorer, scored the eventual winning goal with 4:33 left in the third quarter to give the Dragons a crucial 8-7 lead.
"We really came together as a team," Chapman said. "But it's definitely not the end of the road. We want to accomplish more things this year. We didn't think the win over Virginia was a fluke and we've proved that."
Chapman's goal was all Drexel needed as the men's lacrosse team was clutch down the stretch, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Drexel goalkeeper Bruce Bickford made five saves in the fourth quarter, including two amazing saves on man-up advantages for Delaware. The Dragons had five penalties in the last period, but the man-down unit helped protect the lead for the win.
"We used the analogy of taking a charge in basketball and used our bodies," Drexel Coach Chris Bates said. "[The Blue Hens] are a strong athletic team. I thought we did a good job of staying physical with them. Aside from Virginia, it was as complete of a game as we've had this season."
Drexel notched its second win against a team ranked in the top 20 this year. The Dragon's other victory came against then ranked number one, Virginia, a team with only one loss on the season.
In the second quarter, the wind picked up and snowflakes briefly fell. Luckily for the Dragons, it did not have a negative impact on the team.
"People were having a tough time seeing the ball for a little bit, but the weather wasn't too big of a factor," Chapman said. "It didn't change the outcome of the game at all."
Drexel and Delaware are the two of the best face-off teams in the country. Delaware's Alex Smith has won a nation-best 80 percent of his faceoffs, while Drexel's Zak Fisher is third at 69 percent.
Delaware outplayed Drexel in many of the important categories.
Delaware won 13 of 21 faceoffs, had 37 ground balls, compared to the Dragons' 24, and outshot Drexel 42-30.
But Drexel won the statistical category that counts most - goals.
Despite a ranking in the low 30s, Drexel remained one of the hottest teams in the country as it defeated No. 14 Delaware 11-7, April 7 at Vidas Field.
Andrew Chapman led the Dragons (8-3, 2-0 Colonial Athletic Association) with three goals and one assist, while Jon Van Houten, Colin Ambler and Filippone each scored two goals.
"Considering last year, how we lost so many one-goal games, it was a huge win," Van Houten said. "We lost to them by one last year and everyone was really motivated for this game. We wanted to redeem ourselves."
Delaware (6-4, 1-1), had the game locked at seven apiece, but Drexel's defense was too overwhelming.
The Dragons held the Blue Hens without a goal over the final 21 minutes in the second half en route to their victory.
Chapman, Drexel's leading scorer, scored the eventual winning goal with 4:33 left in the third quarter to give the Dragons a crucial 8-7 lead.
"We really came together as a team," Chapman said. "But it's definitely not the end of the road. We want to accomplish more things this year. We didn't think the win over Virginia was a fluke and we've proved that."
Chapman's goal was all Drexel needed as the men's lacrosse team was clutch down the stretch, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Drexel goalkeeper Bruce Bickford made five saves in the fourth quarter, including two amazing saves on man-up advantages for Delaware. The Dragons had five penalties in the last period, but the man-down unit helped protect the lead for the win.
"We used the analogy of taking a charge in basketball and used our bodies," Drexel Coach Chris Bates said. "[The Blue Hens] are a strong athletic team. I thought we did a good job of staying physical with them. Aside from Virginia, it was as complete of a game as we've had this season."
Drexel notched its second win against a team ranked in the top 20 this year. The Dragon's other victory came against then ranked number one, Virginia, a team with only one loss on the season.
In the second quarter, the wind picked up and snowflakes briefly fell. Luckily for the Dragons, it did not have a negative impact on the team.
"People were having a tough time seeing the ball for a little bit, but the weather wasn't too big of a factor," Chapman said. "It didn't change the outcome of the game at all."
Drexel and Delaware are the two of the best face-off teams in the country. Delaware's Alex Smith has won a nation-best 80 percent of his faceoffs, while Drexel's Zak Fisher is third at 69 percent.
Delaware outplayed Drexel in many of the important categories.
Delaware won 13 of 21 faceoffs, had 37 ground balls, compared to the Dragons' 24, and outshot Drexel 42-30.
But Drexel won the statistical category that counts most - goals.
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