Bob Shillinglaw has seen a lot of great wins in his 39 years as Delaware men’s lacrosse coach.

But the Blue Hens’ victory on Saturday has to rank up there with the best of them.

Delaware got nine goals from its starting midfield unit and freshman goalkeeper Matt DeLuca was nearly flawless in the nets as the Hens posted their first victory over a No. 1-ranked team with a 13-9 victory over Rutgers on Saturday at Delaware Stadium.

Delaware (7-3) got three goals each from Will Hirschmann, Steve DeLargy, and Trupert Ortlieb while DeLuca recorded a career-high 19 saves to earn the Milt Roberts Game Most Valuable Player award.

Delaware’s win over No. 2 Virginia in the first round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament was the previous highest-ranked opponent the Hens have defeated. They were 0-6 vs. top-ranked teams before Saturday.

Blue Hen players celebrate after Saturday's upset win over top-ranked Rutgers. (UD sports information/Mark Campbell)

Rutgers (8-1) was off to its best start since 1955 and entered the game with its first-ever No. 1 ranking in the Maverik media poll. The Scarlet Knights were also ranked No. 3 in this week’s USILA Coaches poll.

“This is a game I think our guys will be talking about 10 years from now,” said Shillinglaw, who will retire after this season. “I am so  happy for these guys, they are a great group of kids. This is their special moment and that’s what it should be all about.

“They are playing with a chip (on their shoulder) and we are getting after it. This is one of those games where you walk into the lockerroom before the game and you can see it in their eyes and you know you don’t have to say anything. They were focused and ready.”

UD freshman goalie Matt DeLuca makes one of his 19 saves.

After the Hens built a 7-2 halftime lead, Rutgers closed within 9-8 just 26 seconds into the final quarter.

But the Hens followed with four straight goals — two by Ortlieb — to take back control and cruise to the win, their sixth in the last seven games.

DeLuca’s 19 saves matched the most for a UD goalie since 2008.

“When you play the No. 1 team in the country, that can be a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” said DeLuca. “I can’t thank my defense enough. If I can come out and make the first couple of saves — which I was able to do today — it gets me going and I can pick it up from there.”

St. Mary’s 20, Wesley 7: Josh Wassum led the Wolverines with four goals, five ground balls and two turnovers caused in the loss.

Joe Fingles also had a multi-goal day for the Wolverines, putting away two goals and also picked up three ground balls. James Cella made a career-high 21 saves.

WOMEN, St. Mary’s 17, Wesley 0: Goalie Shelby Shirmer paced the Wolverines (0-3 CAC, 5-3) with nine saves in net.

College baseball

James Madison 6, Delaware 5: The Blue Hens dropped a heartbreaker on a walk-off home run by the Dukes’ Fox Semones.

Delaware (11-9, 0-2 CAA) enjoyed leads of 2-0 and 5-3 but JMU (17-5, 2-0 CAA) scored the final three runs to pull out the win.

Starter Nick Spadafino (Dover) gave up three runs on six hits in five innings for the Hens.

Wesley splits with York: Wesley downed York, 5-3, before falling, 12-0, in a CAC twinbill.

Winning pitcher Sam Meck went eight innings, striking out seven while giving up eight hits. Trey Mears went 3-for-5 with an RBI while Chris Seibert and Michael Piccirillo both went 2-for-4.

Hornets swept by Coppin: Coppin State swept Delaware State, 14-3, 9-7, in a MEAC North doubleheader.

In the opener the score was 1-1 before Coppin State scored 13 runs in its last three at-bats. Catcher Evan Regez was 2-for-4 with an RBI for DSU.

Austin Bentley was 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI in the nightcap for DSU while Regez had three hits and three runs scored in four at-bats.

College softball

Hens sweep Towson: Mariah Kondravy delivered a walkoff single in the opener while Jordan Cargile fired a two-hit shutout in the nightcap as Delaware swept a Colonial Athletic Association doubleheader from Towson, 5-4 and 4-0.

The Blue Hens (2-1 CAA, 10-13 overall) and Tiders were tied 4-4 n the eighth when Mattie Nuccio legged out a one-out infield single, moved to second on a single by Leanna Gearhart, and scored the game-winning run when Kondravy laced a two-out single up the middle.

Hornets take split: Delaware State scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning in a 4-3 win over Norfolk State in the first game of a MEAC North doubleheader. The Spartans bounced back to take the nightcap 7-2.

Dani Velez singled to right to score Quarles with the tying run and Miceala Cummings crossed the plate with the go-ahead run when Norfolk State committed an error on the play for the Hornets (4-16, 3-1 MEAC).

Wesley loses two: Wesley dropped a pair of Capital Athletic Conference games, 6-3, 7-2 to No. 20 Christopher Newport.

In the opener, Devin Mackay led the Wolverines (0-2, 10-8) by going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Lindsay Siok went 2-for-2 and also struck out four.

College bowling

DSU ousted in MEAC tourney: Delaware State’ one-year reign as MEAC bowling champions has come to an end.

The Hornets were eliminated from the MEAC Tournament after dropping two Baker matches at AMF Lanes on Saturday.

Delaware State, seeded third in the bracket play, opened competition with a 4.5-to-1.5 loss to No. 6 seed Morgan State.

The Hornets stayed alive in the tournament with a 4-3 victory over No. 7 Florida A&M in an elimination-round contest. But Morgan State beat DSU again, 4-2.

DSU, winners of the MEAC North title, ends its season with an overall mark of 75-33.