PHILADELPHIA – On a cold and rainy day in University City, the University of Pennsylvania battled to a narrow, 1-0 defeat to 11th-ranked Delaware. Chances for both teams were sparse, but the Blue Hens capitalized on a counter attack in the first quarter to deal the Quakers their second loss of the weekend.
 
NOTES
*Senior Ava Rosati made nine saves today, her most this season since stopping 12 shots against North Carolina.
 
*Jordyn Thies made her first-career defensive save to keep the Blue Hens within one goal. It is the second defensive save made by a Penn player this season.
 
*Meghan Ward made her first start of the season this afternoon. She played 48 minutes and had a shot meet the post early in the first quarter.
 
*Gracyn Banks missed today's game with an injury. Prior to today's game, she had played in every possible minute in Penn's 11 contests this season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
With both teams coming off a day of rest, it was an electric start to the game. The Blue Hens started on the front foot and got off a flurry of shots within the game's first two minutes. Rosati was up to the task, making four saves in the space of 15 seconds to keep the game level.
 
Minutes later, Ward broke off on a counter attack. With a defender breathing down her neck, Ward cut inside and fired a shot on goal. The ball beat the keeper but was stopped via the post.
 
Penn continued to push for the breakthrough goal, with Alexa Schneck having a shot blocked on Penn's first corner of the game. The Hens quickly broke the other way and grabbed the game's lone goal with a looping finish over Rosati.
 
Both sides fought to find the back of the cage again and were unsuccessful due to strong defensive displays and stout goalkeeping as the 11th-ranked Blue Hens held on for a 1-0 victory.
 
UP NEXT
Penn continues its three-game home stretch with a visit from Yale on Saturday at noon.