NORFOLK, VA -- Behind goals from young strikers Caitlyn Germain (right), Amy Pickard, and Melissa Kilker, the University of Delaware women's soccer team battled back from an early deficit to defeat defending conference champion Old Dominion in its CAA opener on Friday evening.

The Monarchs showed why they posted a 17-5-1 record last year on the way to an NCAA tournament berth, taking the lead just 6:47 into the match on a goal by midfielder Elizabeth Brewster. ODU kept the pressure on Hen goalie Annie Bevan throughout the half, but Delaware capitalized on a rare chance as intermission approached. Germain dribbled into the box and was fouled by Saratu Dodo, earning a penalty kick.

The sophomore booted it into the back of the net to knot the score at one and record her third goal of the season. The goal was UD’s first via penalty kick since Sept. 24, 2006.

Old Dominion dominated possession early in the second stanza, finding space and firing shots high, low, and wide. But once again it was the Blue Hens who took advantage of their chances. At the 65:51 mark, Pickard dribbled 40 yards down the right side, eluded ODU defenders, and slid a shot past Monarch keeper Lauren Tupman from five yards out, giving the Hens a 2-1 lead. The goal was the freshman's fifth of the season, good for the team lead.

Kilker put the game out of reach just eight minutes later, when she settled a Pickard pass and beat Tupman for her second goal of the year.

The Monarchs out-shot UD, 20-7, but only managed seven shots on goal. Delaware, on the other hand, made the most of its chances, firing four shots on goal.

Germain led the Blue Hens (5-3, 1-0 CAA) with three shots, while forward Shavon Knight took seven shots for ODU (4-2-1, 0-1 CAA).

Sophomore goalkeeper Annie Bevan saved six shots for the Hens, who improved to 6-0-1 all-time against Old Dominion - ranked No. 11 in the Mid-Atlantic region by Soccer Buzz magazine - and snapped the Monarchs’ four-game unbeaten streak. Bevan is now 4-0 on the season and has allowed only one goal in 360 minutes of action.

Delaware downed ODU by an identical 3-1 margin last year. The Hens notched their first defeat of a defending Colonial champ since 2003, when they toppled James Madison, 1-0.

Coach Scott Grzenda and the UD women return to action on Sunday, when they visit William & Mary at 12:30 p.m.

Boxscore