DePaul University Athletics
Women's Soccer Welcomes Marquette and USF
10/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO - The DePaul women’s soccer program resumes with BIG EAST competition as the Golden Eagles and Bulls visit Wish Field this weekend. The Blue Demons begin play in October with Marquette on Friday and host USF on Sunday, Oct. 5. Kickoff with the Marquette is scheduled for 3 p.m. Following this weekend’s action, DePaul begins a four-game road trip on Oct. 10 that starts at Villanova and Georgetown followed by a weekend of games at Connecticut and Providence.
Noting the Blue Demons: Nine different players have tallied at least one goal this season... DePaul has scored 12 goals through 11 matches compared to 18 in 19 games in 2007... the eight goals in contests against Western Illinois, Miami (Ohio) and Northwestern are the highest three-game total since 11 in Oct. 2004... with two goals in each of those matches, it also marks the first time the Blue Demons have had three consecutive games with two or more goals since Oct. 2004... the 0-5 start to begin the 2008 season marks the third time in team history with a season-opening five straight defeats (1996, 1997)... the Blue Demons return 16 players and add 12 newcomers for the 2008 regular season... senior Shannon Williams returns as the top scorer... she led the team with 16 points, seven goals and two assists in 2007... sophomores Callie Hemming and Tara Strickland combined for five goals and three assists last season... with a goal against Northwestern, Williams moved into a tie for eighth all-time with nine goals and tie for ninth all-time with 21 points (9G/3A)... her third assist came in the season opener... Strickland leads the Blue Demons with seven points on two goals and three assists... goalkeeper Kelsey Hoinkes has recorded 10 saves in five occasions throughout her career (three this season)... four players have played in all 11 matches this season: Molly Borchardt, Morgan Celaya, Casey Mercurio and Tara Strickland... since 2002, the Blue Demons are 26-27-3 in matches at Wish Field... head coach Erin Chastain is in her second season at DePaul... 2008 is the 13th season of women’s soccer at DePaul University.
Scouting Marquette: The Golden Eagles stand at 6-3-2 overall and 2-0-1 in BIG EAST matchups after shutting out Connecticut on Sept. 28, 1-0... Marquette has not suffered a loss since the Auburn Classic (2-0-2)... the team has nine goals on the season... Marquette was picked to finish third in the American Division of the BIG EAST preseason poll... Markus Roeders is in his 13th season as head coach of the program. The Series: The 12th all-time match-up between both teams will occur on Friday... Marquette holds the series lead with a 8-3-0 record against DePaul... Friday is the first meeting since a 1-0 loss at Marquette on Oct. 2, 2005.
Eye on Bulls: USF currently holds a 5-2-3 overall record with a 1-1-1 mark in BIG EAST play... the Bulls have won two of the last three matches... the two victories were home shutouts against FAU and Providence... Chelsea Klotz leads the way with 34 shots, six points and three goals... USF was picked fifth in the American Division of the BIG EAST preseason poll... head coach Denise Schilte-Brown is in her second year at the helm of USF women’s soccer... the team visits Notre Dame on Friday. The Series: Sunday will be the ninth meeting between both programs... the Blue Demons won in 2002 for their first series victory and tied the last match-up on Sept. 30, 2005, 1-1, in double-overtime... USF leads the series at 4-1-3 all-time.
Preseason Picks: The Blue Demons were picked to finish eighth in the National Division of the BIG EAST preseason poll. Notre Dame was selected to finish first in the National Division while West Virginia received the top spot in the American Division. Notre Dame’s Brittany Bock was the selection for Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Villanova’s Kelly Eagan was named the Defensive Player of the Year. The Goalkeeper of the Year was Stephanie Labbe of Connecticut.
2008 BIG EAST Championship: The semifinals and championship of the 2008 BIG EAST Women’s Soccer Championship will be Nov. 7 and 9 at Notre Dame’s Alumni Field. The first round and quarterfinal matches will be hosted by the higher-seeded team on Oct. 30 and Nov. 2. The champion receives the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship. CBS College Sports Network will broadcast the semifinal and championship matches.
