PHILADELPHIA, PA -- University of Delaware freshman Courtney Aburn posted three goals for her fifth hat trick and Casey McCrudden tallied two goals and three assists but the Blue Hens had their three-game winning streak snapped at Drexel, 15-9, in a Colonial Athletic Association battle at Vidas Field Sunday afternoon.

The 20th ranked Blue Hens (9-5, 5-2 CAA) couldn’t overcome four goals apiece from seniors Kerry Kelly and Emily Hoesch who were playing their final home game of their careers. Drexel, which had defeated Delaware in each of the last three seasons, improves to 11-5 overall and 3-4 in the CAA. The three conference victories are the most ever by the Dragons since joining the CAA in 2002.

Delaware, which has two non-conference games remaining in its regular season, can finish no worse than third in the CAA. If James Madison defeats Hofstra on Friday the Blue Hens will claim the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament.

The Dragons got on the board first with goals from Kerry and Jessica Bill to jump out to an early 2-0 lead. The Blue Hens responded with a 3-0 run as Nicole Flego scored her only goal of the game and Aburn and Debbie Sloan tallied goals to give UD the 3-2 lead.

Kelly tied the game at the 21:35 mark with her second goal of the game before Delaware reclaimed the lead on a goal by Katie Muth (at right) just 31 seconds later. Over the next 21 minutes of the first half, the Blue Hens were held scoreless and Drexel rattled off five consecutive goals to go into the break up 8-4.

Delaware got goals from Aburn and McCrudden to start the second half but Drexel pushed the lead back to four as the Dragons scored three of the next four goals. After Aburn’s third goal of the game cut Drexel’s lead to 11-8 with 14:13 remaining in the game, the Dragons scored four consecutive goals to put the Hens away.

Delaware goalkeeper Jessica Cerveny stopped nine Drexel shots, while Lauren LaBella and Rachel Behrndt combined for eight Drexel saves.

The Blue Hens will host Loyola (MD) Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Rullo Stadium.

Boxscore