HARRISONBURG, VA -- Freshman midfielder Demar Stephenson (right) scored from 15 yards out in the 71st minute to lead the University of Delaware men's soccer team to a 1-0 triumph at James Madison - the Hens' first win of the season - on Sunday afternoon.

The Hens and Dukes played an evenly-matched first half, but Ian Hennessy's squad took command after intermission. Delaware kept the pressure on the JMU back line throughout, finally striking paydirt when Stephenson beat Madison keeper Ken Manahan with a rocket to the right corner of the net. Another freshman, midfielder Darren Christie, picked up the assist.

The lead was the Hens' first in any match this season, and they held it until the final whistle to improve to 1-7-1 and 1-1 in CAA play.

Stephenson's goal, the first of his career, snapped a 371:22 scoreless streak for Delaware.

Hennessy was elated with his team's breakthrough.

"In the end, it was a very polished performance," said Hennessy, whose Hens defeated JMU (1-6-3, 0-2 CAA) for the second straight year. "I kept telling them that this was coming. We have deserved to win in recent games. I really beleieve our strength of schedule helped today. We are 1-1 in the conference with aother big week ahead of us."

Delaware played one of its toughest non-conference schedules ever this season, and now the Hens are primed for a run at CAA glory.

UD out-shot James Madison, 13-5, and collected nine corner kicks. They took eight of their shots in the second half.

Junior goalie Taylor Thames made three saves en route to his first victory of the season, while Christie tallied four shots to lead the Blue Hens. Sophomore midfielder Paul Danaher and senior forward Sobhan Tadjalli added three shots apiece.

Delaware will look to turn a win into a streak on Oct. 12, when the Hens host George Mason at 7 p.m.

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