NEWARK, Del. - Junior goalkeeper Brittany Varacallo of the Towson University field hockey team made nine saves, but the Delaware Blue Hens (9-3, 3-0 CAA) used a strong second half showing half to defeat the Tigers (1-12, 0-3 CAA) 5-0 in a matchup of Colonial Athletic Association teams.

The Blue Hens first scored when Clare O'Malley notched her second goal of the season 9:17 into the first half, converting on a shot from inside the top of the circle for a 1-0 Delaware advantage.

Varacallo would stand tall for the rest of the half, making all of her nine saves in the period and keeping the game within reach for Towson. The Tigers trailed just 1-0 entering halftime.

But in the second half, the powerful Blue Hen offense became more productive. Esmee Peet scored two goals 7:31 apart and Toni Popinko added Delaware's third goal of the half in the 53rd minute to give the Blue Hen's a comfortable 4-0 lead with 17:05 remaining in the game.

The lead increased to 5-0 when Popinko scored her second goal of the period with 7:10 left to play.

Delaware took 24 shots for the game, led by Jackie Coveleski and Peet, who tied with a game-high five each. Meghan Winesett added two assists for the Blue Hens.

The Tigers next face American in the team's final non-conference game of the regular season on Friday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m.