Drexel
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1. Be respectful of our online community and contribute to an engaging conversation. We reserve the right to ban impersonators and remove comments that contain personal attacks, threats, or profanity, or are flat-out offensive.
2. Stay on topic. If you feel you really have something to add that doesn’t quite fit the current topic, start a new one.
3. Keep rebuttals and disagreements impersonal. You can disagree with someone respectfully without resorting to name-calling or other insults.
4. Do not single out players for criticism by name, number or position. These are 18-23 year-old kids that are trying their best while juggling a college class load. Let’s be supportive.
5. Remember always that players read these boards; players’ families read these boards; respective recruits read these boards; opposing fans read these boards. As a GoHens.net member, YOU represent Delaware Lacrosse to others. Please do so in a positive manner.
Re: Drexel
Baby, it's cold outside.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwY0VjJUzXQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepE
Hope we can rebound from last week's performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwY0VjJUzXQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepE
Hope we can rebound from last week's performance.
Bowlin', bowlin', bowlin', keep them Blue Hens movin'...
Re: Drexel
Delaware travels up to West Philly tomorrow at noon to face the Drexel Dragons for the 80th meeting between these “local” rivals. The Hens have won the vast majority of these (51wins) including eight of the last nine since DeLuca took over the program in 2018. Last year the Hens beat the Dragons 16-12 in a game that was not as close as the final score would suggest. Hens were up 14-6 entering the 4th quarter and 16-9 late in the fourth before Drexel scored three goals to bring it to a more respectable 16-12 score.
So what does all that mean for tomorrow’s game?
Absolutely nothing. Drexel returns nearly everyone from an 8-8 squad that drastically underperformed, losing a lot of games they expected to win before squeaking into the CAA tournament and beating the favored Fairfield team by a LOT (14-8). They also gave eventual champion Towson a run for their money in the CAA final losing a close game 13-10.
The Dragons lose top goal scorer Max Semple (41 goals) and defensive stalwart, two-time All-CAA defenseman Colin Gucwa. However, nearly everyone else is back from last year’s maiden voyage for head coach Steven Boyle. Expectations are very high for this squad who gave up just 10 goals a game with the Tucker Durkin-led defense.
Junior goalie Brendan Donnelly brings a 53% save percentage and 10.9 GAA into this matchup. He is supported by a stout defense led by juniors Pat Lyman (43GB 14CTs) Kevin O’Brien (33GB 15CTs) and senior Luke Carden from Malvern Prep. Grad student Liam Kammar, an underrated SSDM (34GB and 13CTs) is very physical and will take on the top middies the Dragons face this year. The offense is led by shifty attackman Connor Hooley (26g 20a) and junior Witt Crawford who had a breakout year in ’25 with 31 goals and 18 assists. I have no idea what to expect from the oft-injured Luke Tomak, but he is back for a sixth year in West Philly.
What UD needs to do to win
Obviously, the Hens need to cut down on the turnovers. UD had 22 turnovers and eight failed clears against Utah in an indoor truncated field last week. Coach Durkin will have his guys hunting for CTs early and often. The Hens have looked anemic on offense in the fall and spring scrimmages scoring just eight goals against Hopkins and Lehigh. Things were not much better last week when they eked out nine goals on a short, poorly-lit field.
Could be a long season for the Hens if they can’t get the scoring up in 13-14 range. To do that they will need to get more out of their midfielders. The attack of Brendan Powers, Bennett Parmer and John McCurry will get their share of goals this year. Coach Bieda needs to get Jason Kolar, Tyler Owings, Hank D’Ambrogi, Drew Duncan and company to put more pressure on shorties and cut down on turnovers in the middle of the field. They will also need to push transition. Need at least 3 fast break goals tomorrow.
The defense will need to be a lot stronger than they were last week on ball. The Utes got off 50 shots with relative ease. Goalie Aidan Koff did a nice job but faced way too many shots in the middle of the field where Utah had a lot of goal to look at.
Hoping for a nice comeback victory for the Hens tomorrow. But it will not be easy.
So what does all that mean for tomorrow’s game?
Absolutely nothing. Drexel returns nearly everyone from an 8-8 squad that drastically underperformed, losing a lot of games they expected to win before squeaking into the CAA tournament and beating the favored Fairfield team by a LOT (14-8). They also gave eventual champion Towson a run for their money in the CAA final losing a close game 13-10.
The Dragons lose top goal scorer Max Semple (41 goals) and defensive stalwart, two-time All-CAA defenseman Colin Gucwa. However, nearly everyone else is back from last year’s maiden voyage for head coach Steven Boyle. Expectations are very high for this squad who gave up just 10 goals a game with the Tucker Durkin-led defense.
Junior goalie Brendan Donnelly brings a 53% save percentage and 10.9 GAA into this matchup. He is supported by a stout defense led by juniors Pat Lyman (43GB 14CTs) Kevin O’Brien (33GB 15CTs) and senior Luke Carden from Malvern Prep. Grad student Liam Kammar, an underrated SSDM (34GB and 13CTs) is very physical and will take on the top middies the Dragons face this year. The offense is led by shifty attackman Connor Hooley (26g 20a) and junior Witt Crawford who had a breakout year in ’25 with 31 goals and 18 assists. I have no idea what to expect from the oft-injured Luke Tomak, but he is back for a sixth year in West Philly.
What UD needs to do to win
Obviously, the Hens need to cut down on the turnovers. UD had 22 turnovers and eight failed clears against Utah in an indoor truncated field last week. Coach Durkin will have his guys hunting for CTs early and often. The Hens have looked anemic on offense in the fall and spring scrimmages scoring just eight goals against Hopkins and Lehigh. Things were not much better last week when they eked out nine goals on a short, poorly-lit field.
Could be a long season for the Hens if they can’t get the scoring up in 13-14 range. To do that they will need to get more out of their midfielders. The attack of Brendan Powers, Bennett Parmer and John McCurry will get their share of goals this year. Coach Bieda needs to get Jason Kolar, Tyler Owings, Hank D’Ambrogi, Drew Duncan and company to put more pressure on shorties and cut down on turnovers in the middle of the field. They will also need to push transition. Need at least 3 fast break goals tomorrow.
The defense will need to be a lot stronger than they were last week on ball. The Utes got off 50 shots with relative ease. Goalie Aidan Koff did a nice job but faced way too many shots in the middle of the field where Utah had a lot of goal to look at.
Hoping for a nice comeback victory for the Hens tomorrow. But it will not be easy.
Re: Drexel
It's early, but this game will tell us a lot about this year's prospects.
Drexel's site has the game on Flo.
Drexel might have gotten an attendance boost with the men's/women's (against UConn) doubleheader, but the Friday date and time switch will probably negate that.
Drexel's site has the game on Flo.
Drexel might have gotten an attendance boost with the men's/women's (against UConn) doubleheader, but the Friday date and time switch will probably negate that.
Bowlin', bowlin', bowlin', keep them Blue Hens movin'...
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BlueHenBill
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Re: Drexel
LILax, What does Drexel have at FO? FOs will also be critical in this game.
Re: Drexel
Drexel has two returning Fogos. One was just a touch over 50% and the other about 53%. Not sure that will be a big factor tomorrow. If Delaware takes care of the ball, they should be fine.
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bluehenbillk
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Re: Drexel
Gentlemen it may be a long thin year. Getting dominated in West Philly 5-0 at the half. When was the last time UD didn’t score in a half. Faceoffs are 6-1 Drexel.
We may only need one hand to count W’s this spring…
We may only need one hand to count W’s this spring…
UD to FBS. I never thought I’d see the day
Re: Drexel
Currently 9-0 in the 4thbluehenbillk wrote: ↑Fri Feb 06, 2026 12:58 pm Gentlemen it may be a long thin year. Getting dominated in West Philly 5-0 at the half. When was the last time UD didn’t score in a half. Faceoffs are 6-1 Drexel.
We may only need one hand to count W’s this spring…
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bluehenbillk
- Posts: 12829
- Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2005 7:52 am
- UD Class: 1991
- Location: Poipu Beach, HI and outside Philly
Re: Drexel
This legendary Bobby Knight video should ring loud and clear over the next week:
https://youtube.com/shorts/63ORkbchBcA? ... YdjUgLo69A
https://youtube.com/shorts/63ORkbchBcA? ... YdjUgLo69A
UD to FBS. I never thought I’d see the day
Re: Drexel
Or Mora’s “Playoffs? I’m just trying to win a game”bluehenbillk wrote: ↑Fri Feb 06, 2026 1:40 pm This legendary Bobby Knight video should ring loud and clear over the next week:
https://youtube.com/shorts/63ORkbchBcA? ... YdjUgLo69A
Re: Drexel
Wow! I guess the Hens are not an indoor team. 
Re: Drexel
Great clip.bluehenbillk wrote: ↑Fri Feb 06, 2026 1:40 pm This legendary Bobby Knight video should ring loud and clear over the next week:
https://youtube.com/shorts/63ORkbchBcA? ... YdjUgLo69A
I miss Mr. Knight.
Didn't watch the game, but did pop in occassionly to see the Live Stats. Sheeesh.
Ugly.
Our Not Ready for Prime Time Players are not ready for prime time.
Next Saturday's weather at St. John's: 36 degrees and rain/snow showers. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Bowlin', bowlin', bowlin', keep them Blue Hens movin'...
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BlueHenBill
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- Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:30 am
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BlueHenBill
- Posts: 9815
- Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:30 am
Re: Drexel
In 2025 there was an article in the Phila. Inquirer about Drexel's plans for NIL $. Drexel was talking about concentrating their NIL $ on a few sports where they could make the most impact nationally. Among the sports identified as possibilities for concentration of NIL $ was Men's Lax and maybe Women's Lax. In particular Drexel was talking about funding the increased max # of roster spots for Lax. Perhaps Drexel has already spent a significant portion of NIL $ on Men's Lax. Does UD Men's Lax have enough resources to compete in this era? If UDLax resources are competitive (which I doubt), and UD has a second disappointing season in a row, would HC Ben De Luca be the problem?
Last edited by BlueHenBill on Fri Feb 06, 2026 7:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Drexel
Ok, I assumed it was indoor. Guess the Hens are not a winter team.BlueHenBill wrote: ↑Fri Feb 06, 2026 4:36 pmWasn't the game at Drexel played outside on Drexel's Vidas Field?