Women's Soccer Opens Season
8/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO - The DePaul women's soccer team opens the 2002 regular season with a pair of road matches this weekend. On Friday afternoon, the Blue Demons travel to Northwestern followed by a Sunday afternoon contest at IPFW. Kickoff for both matches is set for 4 p.m.
DePaul opened last season with a program-best 5-0 record with victories over Indiana State, Western Illinois, Valparaiso, UW-Green Bay and IPFW. Of their 12 defeats a year ago, the Blue Demons lost four by just one goal including a 1-0 decision at eventual NCAA Sweet Sixteen participant Cincinnati.
Warm-up Win – DePaul 2, Loyola-Chicago 1
In DePaul’s lone exhibition match, the Blue Demons knocked off Loyola-Chicago, 2-1. They scored early and often as Christy Young and Julianne Sitch found the net in the first 20 minutes. The Ramblers scored later in the first stanza and the Blue Demons held off Loyola for the 2-1 victory. Bren Sugarman set up the two scores with a pair of assists.
Sugarman found Young in the fourth minute to set up the header on a cross from the left side. Just over 15 minutes later, Sugarman fed Sitch who put it past Loyola keeper Heather Joseph.
Loyola cut the lead in the 30th minute on a goal by Jamie Wasielewski, but neither team would score for the remainder of the match.
DePaul coach John Wilson was able to play a number of players as Lindsey Deason, Lauren Geiger and Erica Keppel combined for five saves as the Blue Demons outshot the Ramblers, 15-9, including an 11-4 advantage in the first half.
A Quick Look at the Weekend Opponents
The Northwestern Wildcats return three of their top six scorers from last season’s 8-10-1 squad. Sophomore forward Ashleigh Garmon is the leading returner with four goals and an assist. Head coach Jen Haigh is in her second season in Evanston. The Wildcats have won the only meeting between the two schools with a 6-1 decision in 1998.
Sunday’s opposition, IPFW, is coming off a 3-15 season. Second-year head coach Terry Stefankiewicz returns seven starters from last season led by junior Shacina Hersey with six goals and two assists. A year ago, the Blue Demons topped the Mastodons, 3-0.
Looking Ahead
The Blue Demons will continue on the road as they play at Indiana State on Sept. 6. The Alumni exhibition match will follow on Sept. 8 at Wish Field. DePaul opens the home schedule with matches against Drury on Sept. 13 and Idaho on Sept. 15.