Delaware Repeats as CAA Champs for First Time in Over a Decade

Junior attackman JP Ward helped Delaware off to a strong start and the Blue Hens beat Stony Brook 13-10 to capture their second straight Colonial Athletic Association championship.

The Blue Hens, who reached the NCAA quarterfinals last season and returned the bulk of the roster, have won back-to-back CAA titles for the first time in more than a decade (2010-11).

“We told them what we were planning to do and what our goals and our vision were, and they believed in us,” said Delaware head coach Ben DeLuca of his veterans. “They came and our staff is very thankful for them trusting us in coming here. We put them to work, and our guys have done a great job of meeting and exceeding expectations.”

Delaware (12-4) never trailed in the game and Ward, who finished with four goals and two assists on just five shots, had a first half hat trick to help Delaware to a 7-5 halftime lead. The Blue Hens eventually led by as many as six goals in the fourth quarter before Stony Brook scored the final three goals of the game.

Stony Brook dominated faceoffs, especially in the second half, as Renz Conlon returned from injury. Stony Brook won 19 of 26 in the game and lost just one in the second half, a faceoff with 22 seconds left to play. Conlon won 17 of 20 faceoffs in the game and Delaware threw out five different players at the dot to try their luck.

Delaware was able to overcome that deficiency behind 14 saves from graduate student Matt Kilkeary and by taking care of the ball. The Blue Hens committed just nine turnovers in the game.

Delaware had a balanced offense with Cam Acchione, Jason Kolar, Tye Kurtz and Matt Robinson each scoring twice to aid Ward.

In addition to Kilkeary’s efforts, the Blue Hen defense had 11 caused turnovers, led by senior Tate Wasson with three.

Stony Brook (9-7), which got some added cheering support in the fourth quarter from its women’s lacrosse team stopping by on its way home after winning the CAA women’s championship, was led by Dylan Pallonetti with four goals. Blake Behlen added two goals and two assists and Jamison MacLachlan made 14 saves.