Women's Soccer Tops Eastern Illinois
8/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO With the Blue Angels buzzing overhead for the annual Chicago Air and Water Show, the DePaul women's soccer team knocked off Eastern Illinois, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon at Wish Field. Lauren Pagone scored off a free kick from Taylor Nieling in the 81st minute in the lone exhibition match for the Blue Demons.
DePaul put pressure on the Panthers from the first whistle as they created a pair of corner kick chances in the opening minutes. The Blue Demons finished the first half with five corners and held a 9-1 advantage on shots, but were unable to find the net in a scoreless first half.
Late in the opening period, Ashley Eck fired a liner from 10 yards only to see DePaul's Kelsey Hoinkes make the save. Susie O'Connor stopped another Eastern Illinois opportunity in the second half as she ran down Pam Melinauskas to knocked the ball away in the 65th minute.
DePaul's continued pressure started to wear down the Panther defense as Pagone and Tara Strickland attempted to get the Blue Demons on the board. Pagone broke free for a scoring opportunity that was stopped by EIU's Jenny Williams followed by Strickland's shot that just sailed over the crossbar.
Following an Eastern Illinois foul, Taylor Nieling took the free kick from 35 yards out and found Pagone in front of the frame. Pagone got the ball past Williams to score the game-deciding goal at 80:43.
Hoinkes and Brittni Lally combined on the shutout for the Blue Demons with a save for Hoinkes and two stops for Lally. DePaul outshot the Panthers, 16-4, in the game and held a 7-4 advantage on corner kicks.
The Blue Demons start the regular season on Friday against Loyola-Chicago at Wish Field. Kickoff in Lincoln Park is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Game Notes: DePaul coach Erin Chastain missed the game after giving birth to her daughter on Friday morning... her husband, Chad, was on the sidelines on Saturday with the Blue Demons... 10 of DePaul's 11 starters are either freshmen or sophomores.