Delaware opens league play Saturday under new coach Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
There are hints of a reawakening, even though first-year Delaware men’s lacrosse coach Ben DeLuca admits, “We’re still in our early stages.”
The Blue Hens have played three Top 20 foes this season. They led one at halftime, another late in the third quarter and another in the fourth.
Delaware didn’t win any of those games and lost others it shouldn’t have.
But as the Blue Hens (3-5) begin the portion of the schedule that will be their true measure – Fairfield visits in Saturday’s noon Colonial Athletic Association opener at Delaware Stadium – they relish the opportunities that lie ahead.
“Very optimistic” is how DeLuca described his thoughts heading into the conference schedule.
“I’m very excited about some of the play that we’ve shown this year,” he said. “We’ve shown flashes of it. We’ve just been inconsistent. We’ve been competitive with teams for extended periods of time, but we’ve struggled to finish and oftentimes there are different reasons. There’s never really one specific play. There’s some lack of discipline. There is some decision-making we’re trying to educate our guys on. And you have to give credit to the other team that makes good plays.”
DeLuca, who was head coach at Cornell from 2011-13, was hired in May after Bob Shillinglaw retired having coached 39 seasons at Delaware and an NCAA record 653 games, including his three years at Massachusetts Maritime.
“With coach DeLuca coming in, I knew I was getting a great coach,” said starting freshman defender Liam Duff, a high school All-American from Chicago who had committed to Delaware well before the coaching change and had no second thoughts about staying with UD.
This year, Delaware won its first three games and then had No. 7-ranked Villanova on the ropes before the Wildcats took their first lead of the game 14 seconds into the final period. Delaware grabbed the lead back, but Villanova scored the final two goals for a 13-12 win.
At Johns Hopkins, Delaware led 8-7 late in the third period before three goals by Kyle Marr – son of former Newark High and UD volleyball standout Traci Tomashek and husband Scott, top-ranked Albany’s lacrosse coach – sent the 10th-ranked Blue Jays to a 14-8 win.
Last Saturday at 11th-ranked Rutgers, Delaware was up 8-7 at halftime and tied late in the third period before the hosts pulled away for a 15-10 win.
“We haven’t done enough to earn ourselves that big win yet,” DeLuca said. “We’ve gotten really close. We talk to our guys a lot about committing to the process and the effort and at the end of the game if we feel we’ve put forth our best effort and we’ve fallen short on the scoreboard. That’s something we can fall back on and be proud of and build on.
“Our staff is very happy with the effort we’ve shown in a lot of games. We’ve played hard. But I do think we can play smarter.”
Losses to 3-6 Mercer and 1-8 Binghamton have shown how much work the Hens still have to do.
The CAA is no picnic in lacrosse. While no CAA teams are presently ranked in any of the three Top 20 polls – Towson is getting votes in all three – Colonial clubs remain capable of posting victories that resonate nationally.
Hofstra has beaten North Carolina, and Towson has topped Ohio State this season. The latter was a rematch of a 2017 NCAA semifinal won by the Buckeyes.
“It’s going to be extremely competitive,” DeLuca said. “We knew that coming in.”
Last year, Delaware downed No. 1-ranked Rutgers 13-9 in its regular-season finale on March 25, then lost all five of its CAA games. Over the last six seasons, Delaware has gone 6-26 in the CAA and lost its lone CAA Tournament game at Hofstra in 2014.
“I think we’re looking at it as a fresh start,” said senior captain Will Hirschmann, whose 16 goals and eight assists make him Delaware’s second-leading scorer behind sophomore Charlie Kitchen (18/9).
“I think we know we can play with anybody. I think we know the level we can play at. It’s about putting it together for 60 minutes. But we’re excited going into CAA play. The intensity definitely gets ratcheted up. Every game means a lot to everybody. Nobody’s gonna sleep on anyone.”
Delaware was an NCAA Tournament team four times from 2005 through 2011, highlighted by its magical 2007 Final Four run. But the Hens are seeking their first winning season since.
“We’re still implementing our standards and the culture we want to have here and teaching our guys how we want to play lacrosse and how we want to behave as men in the classroom and community,” said DeLuca, who has banished several players for disciplinary reasons.
“We’re building, and it takes time any time you have a new staff come in. We’ve done our best to respect and build off what the previous regime has done and what they left for us, but we’ve also worked hard to try to put our stamp on it and to build our guys up from the ground level. We spent a lot of time in the fall focusing on the fundamentals and getting in shape and talking about what it means to be a Delaware lacrosse player and the expectations there, and our guys have responded really well.”
UD defensive back receives unfinished portrait by late coach/painter Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
Head Coach Danny Rocco and the University of Delaware football team hit the field Tuesday to begin training. Jerry Habraken / The News Journal
Blue Hens couldn’t hold lead Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
Nicole Enabosi was awarded several Colonial Athletic Association honors, but none of them bigger than Player of the Year. She is the first POY for a Delaware team since Elena Delle Donne. The Hens open CAA postseason tournament play Thursday in Philadelphia. Wochit
Delaware rallies past JMU 68-66 Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
Delaware was on the losing end of a historic comeback at Drexel. The Blue Hens allowed a 34-point first half lead slip away as Drexel took over in the second half. There were a variety of reasons the Hens lost. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Delaware's Darian Bryant was called for a foul as he contested a Drexel three-point try in a tie game's final seconds. A pair of free throws was the difference in the Blue Hens 85-83 loss in a game they lead by 34. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Delaware breaks a 9-game losing streak to head into final week of conference play. Elon was the victim Saturday as the Hens took a 20-point lead in the second half and were able to coast for first win in a month, 72-57. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Delaware went toe-to-toe with league-best James Madison and came up short, but team members drew confidence from their showing. "We competed," coach Natasha Adair said. "This felt like March Madness already." William Bretzger/The News Journal
Delaware coach Martin Ingelsby was calling foul over a no-call on a last-second shot denied by Towson Thursday. Three free throws could have given the Hens the win on the road, instead they extended a long losing streak. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Delaware has dropped 9 straight games, losing Thursday at Towson. They retain confidence in their game, however. The return of Ryan Daly after missing five games with an ankle injury still wasn't enough. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Favorite for CAA rookie of the year Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
An injury to leading scorer Ryan Daly's ankle could keep him off the court for three weeks, but the Delaware men's basketball team won't use it as an excuse. "It's next man up," forward Eric Carter said after a loss to Hofstra Saturday. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Defense let down Hens Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
Delaware played the CAA preseason College of Charleston close in a 62-54 loss Thursday. "It came down to a couple of plays," forward Eric Carter said.
A win at home against Drexel sets the stage for Delaware to go on a three-game winning streak in CAA play. They play at JMU Saturday. William Bretzger/The News Journal
UD's Ingelsby: "You knew it was going to be an up and down game." Jerry Habraken / The News Journal
Delaware players and head coach are focusing on their next opponent after a lopsided loss to William and Mary. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Sophomore scores career-high 21 Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
UD's Gonzales: 'A big thing was discipline' Jerry Habraken / The News Journal
Leaves Coastal Carolina for hometown Blue Hens football program Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
University of Delaware men's basketball went into overtime to beat Cornell University at the Bob Carpenter Center to close out their non-conference part of their schedule for this season. Suchat Pederson/The News Journal
Delaware junior Nicole Enabosi sets a school record with eight consecutive double doubles in a 71-38 win over Loyola. Daniel Sato/The News Journal/Wochit
Delaware took care of CSU Bakersfield, beating the Roadrunners 76-62 Wednesday. Head coach Martin Ingelsby said his team has confidence with one game left before conference play. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Middletown running back/linebacker Kedrick Whitehead commits to play football at the University of Delaware. Daniel Sato/The News Journal/Wochit
Mike Brey's return to Delaware as Notre Dame head coach had an impact on both sides of the court. For Delaware's Martin Ingelsby, it was a chance to compete against his mentor on a big stage. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Blue Hens head coach Martin Ingelsby talks about the upcoming Saturday night game against Notre Dame and coach Mike Brey. Suchat Pederson/The News Journal
Two-way star boosts Cavaliers Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
UD's Ingelsby: 'Yale fun to watch' Jerry Habraken / The News Journal
Delaware coach says selection committee ignored the facts Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
Delaware head coach Danny Rocco said after his team's regular season finale, a 28-7 loss to Villanova, that "nothing really went our way today." But Rocco also voiced optimism in an improving Blue Hen squad in his first year as coach. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Delaware head coach Martin Ingelsby said his team was able to learn more about itself in its win against Wesley Friday. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Delaware guard Anthony Mosley said his team wanted to play tougher than they did in their last game and found a worthy opponent in Wesley. The Hens beat the Wolverines 93-78 Friday. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Wolverine head coach Dean Burrows said he thought Wesley accomplished goals in a loss at Delaware Friday. The talent and effort of his team might have opened some eyes about Division III play, he said. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Wolverine Brian Cameron had a game-high 30 points for Wesley in a loss at Delaware Friday. He said afterward that the step up in play could help his team in the long run. William Bretzger/The News Journal
After taking care of Albany, Delaware head coach Danny Rocco and players, including Brody Kern and Ray Jones, turned their attention to rival Villanova. They noted the importance of both the game as a rivalry and with a playoff chance on the line. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Delaware downs American Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
Blue Hens seek to end struggles against rival Wildcats Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
Hens have chance to end losing streak, make playoffs Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
American visits Thursday Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
Delaware head football coach Danny Rocco said following his team's 22-3 win against Albany that the Blue Hens responded in the second half after going to halftime 3-3. William Bretzger/The News Journal
Daly scores 22 Kevin Tresolini, The News Journal
Crowley relishes Raymond artwork
Blue Hens go back to the basics
UD coach Natasha Adair sizes up loss to Drexel
Hens' Enabosi is CAA POY
Blue Hens get comeback win this time
Hens collapse: What went wrong?
Foul? Record loss comes on final 3-point try
Hens were 'due for one'
UD loses game, gains confidence
UD loses: Foul or no foul?
Hens: 'Our time is coming'
UD freshman guard Ryan Allen provides big boost
Hens: Daly's ankle can't be our Achilles' heel
Delaware coach Ingelsby discusses loss at Hofstra
Blue Hens: "We went toe-to-toe with them"
Hens: 'A win is a win'
UD's Ingelsby: "You knew it was going to be an up and down game."
Hens ran into 'buzzsaw' against Tribe
Kargo sizes up UD win over Elon
UD's Gonzales: 'A big thing was discipline'
Ex-Sals standout Cathers transfers to Delaware
Blue Hens rally for overtime win over Cornell
Enabosi sets Delaware record for consecutive double doubles
UD's Ingelsby: 'A lot of momentum heading into Christmas'
Middletown's Whitehead signs letter of intent with University of Delaware
Brey and protege share emotional night
UD coach Ingelsby on upcoming Notre Dame game
Middletown's Kedrick Whitehead eyes title game, UD career
UD's Ingelsby: 'Yale fun to watch'
Danny Rocco discusses FCS tourney snub
UD's Rocco: 'I expected more'
UD's Ingelsby: 'Great night for sports in the state'
UD's Mosley: Wesley 'one of hardest playing teams' Hens will face
Wesley coach: 'Some people might be surprised by what they saw'
Wesley's Cameron: 'It was a good challenge'
Hens: 'We have a chip on our shoulder'
Adair praises Hens after win in home opener
Delaware-Villanova: Need-to-knows
Roberts relishes Villanova matchup
Hens play first home game under Adair
UD's Rocco: Offense best "when it mattered most"
Hens discuss win over Richmond in opener
Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @kevintresolini.
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