DOVER, Del. – FDU matched a program record with eight goals in a resounding 8-0 victory at Delaware State on Thursday evening. The Knights have won six straight matches and have not been beaten in their last ten outings.
"Despite Delaware State struggling a bit coming into this match, we still had to take care of business," said head coach
Eric Teepe. "It was big for us to get the first goal early, but I felt we really took control of the match after the second goal."
The NEC's leading goal scorer,
Marina Burzaco, set the tone with a goal 40 seconds into the match. 14 minutes later, the junior forward made it 2-0 with her 10
th goal of the season.
After Burzaco, it was
Ana Salas' turn to dazzle. In the 21
st minute, Salas dribbled around multiple defenders, and after completing an impressive run into the attacking third, she chipped the Hornets' goalkeeper for FDU's third goal. Minutes later, Salas made it 4-0 with a beautiful backheel finish off a pass from Burzaco.
Emma Karafantis and
Cali-Dean Craft joined the party in the last five minutes of the first half. They each scored a goal to cap off a remarkable six-goal half for FDU. Karafantis' stunning volley was the first goal of her collegiate career.
The second half saw the first piece of FDU history on the night. Salas completed a hat trick in the 57
th minute. It is the first three-goal performance of her career, and the program's first hat trick since 2021. Salas, who also recorded an assist, logged seven points on the night, which is the most points for a Knight since at least 2012.
Andrea Araujo finished off the night with a goal in the 89
th minute. This made it 8-0. FDU has only scored eight goals once before in program history, and that came back in 2014.
FDU
Rosemarie Leblanc quietly recorded her seventh shutout of the season with two saves on the night.
FDU has outscored NEC opponents 24-2.
The Knights are back in action at home next Thursday, October 15, when they take on Wagner. The match is set for a 6 p.m. start.
Connect with the Knights on Instagram and X @FDUKnightsWSOC
Presto's Pizza is the Official Sponsor of FDU Soccer
