DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Top East Carolina
10/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
Boxscore
CHICAGO – John Partyka’s first collegiate goal proved to be the game-winner on Friday afternoon in DePaul’s 1-0 win over visiting East Carolina. With the win, the Blue Demons moved into fifth place in the Conference USA standings with two regular season games remaining. The top six teams advance to the league tournament in mid-November.
Following a scoreless first half, the Blue Demons came alive and outshot the Pirates, 9-2. Overall, DePaul (8-9-0, 4-3-0 C-USA) took 12 shots compared to eight for East Carolina.
Partyka’s goal was set up on a free kick at the top of the penalty box. His ball found its way through the East Carolina (3-10-2, 0-8-1 C-USA) defense and went into the lower right corner of the goal at 69:30.
Kevin Riemer had a chance to seal the match in the 73rd minute, but his shots sailed just wide of the right post. In the match, the Blue Demons took eight corner kicks while East Carolina was able to get off three.
DePaul goalkeeper Jeff Klitzke finished the match with three saves while recording his fifth shutout of the season. East Carolina’s Brian Pope made five stops and allowed the only goal of the match. The eighth Blue Demon win matches their victory total from a year ago with the next win marking the most victories since 1994.
The Blue Demons finish the regular season with a pair of matches at Cincinnati and USF. DePaul travels to Cincinnati on Wednesday, Nov. 5 before playing in Tampa on Sunday, Nov. 9. A pair of victories will propel the club into the Conference USA Tournament for the first time since 1998.