Box Score NEWARK, Del. — Stetson fell to Delaware 16–6 on Saturday, Mar. 28 despite 11 saves from
Maddie Eckert and a hat trick from
Lexi Bird.
Stetson battled early, matching Delaware through much of the opening quarter. After the Blue Hens struck first,
Alexa Vega answered with a goal off an assist from
Lexi Bird to even the score at 1–1. Delaware added a late goal to take a 2–1 lead at the end of the first.
The Hatters stayed within striking distance in the second quarter.
Kathleen Nichols converted a player-up opportunity off a pass from Bird to cut the deficit to one, and Bird later added a free-position goal. However, Delaware used a late surge to extend its lead, taking a 10–4 advantage into halftime.
In the third quarter, Stetson continued to compete behind key saves from Eckert. Bird added another free-position goal, while the Hatters' defense worked to slow Delaware's attack, but the Blue Hens pushed their lead to 12–5 heading into the final period.
Delaware added to its advantage in the fourth, but the Hatters continued to fight until the final whistle. Bird capped her day with a player-up goal in the closing seconds to complete her hat trick, assisted by
Ryley Heilmann.
Stetson Top Performers
Stetson returns home on Saturday, April 4 to host Queens. Opening draw is set for noon in DeLand.
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About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
