NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware men's soccer team generated several good scoring chances in the first half, but fell to MAAC contender Saint Peter's, 2-0, Wednesday night at the UD Mini-Stadium.

Forward Juan Gaviria drew first blood for the Peacocks (6-2-0) when he rocketed a shot past Hen goalie Taylor Thames just 16 minutes into the match. It was the fifth goal of the season for Gaviria, the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year and a candidate for the Hermann Trophy.

Saint Peter's doubled the margin just before halftime, when midfielder Victor Prada found open space just outside the box and buried the ball in the bottom-right corner of the net.

Peacock keeper Matthew Lawlor preserved the margin with six saves on the night, including a spectacular, sprawling effort that robbed UD forward Sobhan Tadjalli (right) of a first-half goal.

Delaware fell to 0-6-1 on the season, its worst start since 1994, while the Peacocks recorded their fourth straight victory.

The match marked the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Saint Peter's out-shot Delaware, 12-9, and tallied seven corner kicks to the Hens' two.

Thames notched five saves for the Blue Hens, who were shut out for the third consecutive match and have been blanked five times this season. Junior striker Tolu Olowolafe took three shots to lead the squad.

The Hens have scored a CAA-low two goals this season, converting just 2.7 percent of their shots.

Delaware opens its CAA season on Oct. 5, when the Blue Hens visit Virginia Commonwealth at 7 p.m.

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