Yale Blanks Delaware State

August 27, 2017

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Michelle Alozie is a dangerous scorer at all times of day. Alozie, though, seems to particularly enjoy Yale’s early morning starts during first-year orientation weekend. Last year she scored a pair of goals in a 4-0 win over Sacred Heart, and she was just as productive on Sunday against Delaware State.

Alozie scored twice, both off terrific crosses from Hannah Coy, as the Bulldogs rolled to a 3-0 win over the Hornets in the home opener at Reese Stadium. That’s four goals in two 10 a.m. starts for Alozie in her time at Yale.

“I am a morning person so maybe I have a little more energy,” she said. “I couldn’t have done it today, though, without Hannah.”

After a scoreless first half that saw the Bulldogs have the far better of the play, Alozie got Yale going when she deftly tapped in a Coy cross from right in front at 47:46. Coy had stolen the ball from a Delaware State defender before dribbling down the side and sending a perfect ball toward the goal.

Less than seven minutes later, Alozie struck again. This time it was Kristi Wharton who started the play. She sent a cross that went through the box to Coy, who then re-sent a cross in to an open Alozie, who fired it home.

A pair of newcomers accounted for Yale’s final goal with less than three minutes remaining. Alexandra McCraven sent a ball to Sarah Jordan at the top of the box. Jordan then rifled a shot that deflected off the leg of a Delaware State defender and in at 86:32.

The victory completed a very successful opening weekend for the Bulldogs, who knocked off No. 21 UConn on Friday.

“This team likes to compete,” said Yale head coach Rudy Meredith, who was concerned there might be a letdown playing less than 48 hours after the big win in Storrs. “We all don’t like to lose, but this team really hates to lose, whether it’s when they go against each other in practice or a drill in practice.”

Yale’s defense was again outstanding. Jane Buckley drew the start in goal and finished with one save. She received outstanding support from her back line.

The Bulldogs didn’t allow a shot on goal in Friday’s 1-0 win over UConn, and the Hornets’ one shot on goal didn’t come until there was 13 minutes left in the second half.

Yale, which has won its first two games of the season for the fourth time in the last five years, had a 16-3 edge in shots but still had a difficult time shaking a pesky Delaware State team.

“They worked really hard, so credit to them,” Meredith said.

The Bulldogs, though, may have eventually worn down the Hornets, who have only 17 players on the roster and not all of them made the trip.

“We’re very deep so that helped,” Meredith said.

Eighteen players saw action for Yale.