Desperate Hens shut out Bears Delaware jumps over Maine in league play

ORONO – The University of Delaware Blue Hens were desperate for an America East women’s soccer victory over the University of Maine Friday. Blue Hen coach Scott Grzenda told his players they had to win their last three games to be assured of a playoff berth.

The Blue Hens played like a desperate team, using their superior speed and athleticism to control the play and generate second-half goals from sophomore striker Francesca Termini and freshman midfielder Christie Wrightson en route to a 2-0 triumph.

Delaware is 4-4-1 in the conference, 9-6-1 overall, and catapulted past Maine (3-4-2, 6-5-3) in the standings.

Both goals came off Megan McFadden corner kicks. The Hens produced 16 corners to Maine’s one.

“We played a lot better today than we’ve been playing,” said Termini, whose game-winner came with 36:30 remaining. “The intensity was always there. We know we need to win these games.”

The Hens also received good and bad fortune on the same play with 30:13 left.

A cross from Maine’s Rachel Kennedy deflected to an unmarked Katie Hodge in front.

Hodge’s potential game-tying shot glanced off the wrist of Delaware left midfielder and conference assist leader Ginette Buffone and deflected wide. Buffone suffered a fractured right wrist, according to Grzenda, and was taken by ambulance to the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

“It’s so frustrating to work so hard and when you get a chance like that, it doesn’t work out,” said Hodge.

“Ginette is one of our players with the most heart. She will get her body in front of anything,” said Termini, whose goal came off a scramble in front after a Wrightson shot deflected over to her.

“I haven’t scored in a while. I was waiting for that one chance. I just turned and shot,” said Termini.

Wrightson sewed up the win with 9:58 left when she gathered in a loose ball and put her 16-yard shot in the corner to the left of Maine goalie Naomi Welsh, who finished with six saves on 11 shots.

Rachel Bersin had two stops on six Maine shots.

“We told our players before the game Delaware was dangerous on restarts. And that’s where they won the game. They deserved the win,” said Maine coach Scott Atherley.