HENS LOOK TO REBOUND 

AGAINST BUTLER

BY KAREN BISCHER

Assistant Sports Editor

After a bout with No. 15 Hosftra last weekend, the Delaware men's lacrosse team faces yet another challenge Saturday when it will play a tough team in No. 9 Butler.

The 20th-ranked Hens (1-1, 0-1 America East), will face the Bulldogs (2-0) who suffered a 13-9 defeat to No. 5 Georgetown Wednesday.

Delaware lost last Saturday to the Flying Dutchmen in a close 13-11 battle, and will have had a week's rest before tomorrow's contest. Butler, however, will only have had a three-day break between the game with the Hoyas until tomorrow's game.

Hens coach Bob Shillinglaw said the short time off between games may affect the Bulldogs' play.

"They've had a long week on the road and fatigue could be a factor when they get in," he said.

He added that while a short rest between games can have a negative effect on a team, it can also be a help because of the momentum coming off of the last game played.

"Emotionally, they'll be charged and ready to play," he said.

Butler also has an added incentive to win, as they will be seeking to avenge for a 13-12 loss to Delaware last season.

Shillinglaw mentioned the Bulldogs' squad had made some comments after last seasons game regarding losing to a lower ranked team in the Hens.

"They feel they're a better squad [than us]," Shillinglaw said. "Revenge will be a factor that they'll use as a motivational tool for Saturday."

Butler is led by senior attacker D'Arcy Sweet, who concluded last season with 43 goals and eight assists. In the pre-season, Sweet was ranked seventh nationally in goals scored.

Bulldogs' senior goalie Kevin DeLury has had a rougher time in goal this year than last season. DeLury finished 1997 with 113 saves and an .524 save percentage overall. This season, 13 goals have been scored on him in each of Butler's three games played.

The Hens will try to take advantage of this, as they send out a squad that scored nine goals in the second half of last Saturday's game.

Shillinglaw said his team is prepared to take on the Bulldogs, which he calls a more physical team than the Hens.

"They're tough players and they do a few things quite well," Shillinglaw said. "They're a more power lacrosse team as opposed to finesse.

"Defensively they have good size and good speed," he said. "They're going to come right at us."

The two teams will see action on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Delaware Field.