Game Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. -- It was not a pretty game, but the University of Delaware men’s soccer team will take it, defeating Columbia University 1-0 on Sunday afternoon. 

The victory extended the Hens’ winning streak at Delaware Mini-Stadium to seven home wins in row. Delaware last suffered a loss in Newark on Sept. 21, 2010 against Saint Peter’s College. 

And it’s Saint Peter’s College Delaware will see on Wednesday when the Hens travel to Jersey City, N.J. Game time is set for 4 p.m. at Jaroschack Field. 

Senior midfielder Kyle Ellis got the game’s only goal in the 59th minute as he extended his goal streak to three. After receiving a long pass from fellow senior Darren O’Connor, Ellis sailed in his shot from 30 yards out. The attempt went to the right post and just out of the reach of Zach Bubliak, Columbia’s goalkeeper. 

After a feisty 30 minutes, the Ellis goal stood up as the game-winner. 

Between the pipes for Delaware, Kris Devaux got his third consecutive victory and second shut out in as many games. With his clean sheet, Devaux extended Delaware’s home shutout streak to five full games, dating back to Oct. 13 in a 2-1 win over Drexel University. 

“This Columbia team, I felt, was the toughest test for us this season. They are a very talented group, which will only get better as the season pushes forward. They will beat some good teams later in the year,” said Delaware head coach Ian Hennessy, who has his program off to its best start in his six years at the helm. 

The Hens are off to their best start since 1985 when the squad, under the direction of UD Athletics Hall of Fame head coach Loren Kline, got off to an 8-0-1 start, finishing the year with an 11-7 records that saw them reach the East Coast Conference finals. 

Ellis and sophomore Roberto Giménez led the Hens on offense, each tallying three attempts. Giménez put all three of hit shots on goal, but Glubiak made saves on all three, stopping Giménez’s point scoring streak at four games. 

Delaware challenged early and often but was a little aggressive on offense; getting called for off-sides five times, including three that resulted in goals being waved off. 

Devaux (at left) made three saves in the goal for Delaware, including stopping two shots from Columbia’s Francois Anderson, who led the Lions with three attempts.

Both teams were whistled for 12 fouls, while Giménez was given a yellow card in the 35th minute. Two Columbia players were given yellows, with Quentin Grigsby getting his in the 64th minute and Mike Mazzullo seeing his in the 75th minute. 

“We responded well today in a fairly physical game, and I am thrilled for the lads that they continue to win against good teams,” said Hennessy. “We have a good spirit in the group at the moment and we will take this with us in our last game before the conference starts.”