DePaul University Athletics
Lara's Goal Sends DePaul Past Connecticut
11/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
STORRS, Conn. A goal by a Willy Lara in the 73rd minute propelled DePaul past Connecticut and into the semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship. With the 1-0 win, the Blue Demons reach the tournament semifinals for the second straight year. DePaul faces St. John’s in the first semifinal match Friday in Tampa, Fla.
DePaul, the Red Division No. 3 seed, capitalized on the last of its seven corner kicks when Mark Plotkin put a serve into the box. He found Eric Hermosillo who put the ball towards Lara where he one-timed it out of the air for the game-deciding goal at 72:09.
“We are so proud of our guys,” said head coach Craig Blazer. “To be in the final four of the BIG EAST Tournament is well deserved for this outstanding team.”
The quarterfinal game saw DePaul (9-6-4) total nine shots, seven corner kicks and four saves by goalkeeper Brian Visser. Visser registered his 11th shutout of the season, setting a new school record. He held the previous mark of 10 shutouts set in 2007.
Connecticut (9-4-6) finished the night with 14 shots, three corner kicks and two saves by Josh Ford. The Huskies, the No. 2 seed from the Blue Division, entered the game ranked No. 17 in this week’s NSCAA/adidas poll and No. 16 in the Soccer America top 25.
DePaul takes on St. John’s in the first semifinal on Friday in Tampa, Fla. The two sides played to a 0-0 tie at Wish Field on Oct. 25. The Red Storm defeated the Providence Friars, 1-0, in overtime Saturday night to reach Friday’s semifinal. Notre Dame will face the winner of tomorrow’s USF-Georgetown match in the second semifinal game. The Irish defeated Louisville, 1-0, in their quarterfinal on Saturday afternoon.
The semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship can be seen live on the CBS College Sports Network. Sunday’s championship match is scheduled for a Noon ET start and can be seen on the BIG EAST TV Network.
Game Notes: DePaul is now 7-2-2 in the last 11 games... the Blue Demons are 2-2-1 against ranked opponents this season... Willy Lara’s goal was his first of the season... the shutout was the 11th this season and 28th of his career... the 11 season shutouts are a new program record... DePaul advances to the BIG EAST Championship semifinals for the second straight year... the Blue Demons are now 3-2 all-time in tournament play... DePaul has won both meetings against Connecticut... the Huskies have been ranked in both of those games.