DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Earn National Soccer Recognition
12/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO - DePaul's turnaround season in women's soccer has earned some national recognition.
Somis Sports based in Camarillo, Calif. has rated the Blue Demons among the most improved NCAA women's soccer programs in Division I.
DePaul finished its history-making season with a 10-9-2 record en route to its first appearance in the BIG EAST Championship tournament.
That represented a six-win improvement over DePaul's 4-15-0 record in 2008. Somis Sports gave the Blue Demons a 2.09 rating---fourth-best in the nation.
Maryland was No. 1 with a 2.58 rating and a seven-win difference over last season. No. 2 Oregon State (2.47) improved by eight wins while No. 3 Santa Clara (2.19) had 10 more wins than in 2008.
A key factor in the rating is net goals. DePaul was a plus-2 this season and a minus-24 last year.
Three other BIG EAST teams were ranked in the top 25---No. 13 USF, No. 14 Pittsburgh and No. 17 St. John's.
"I am so proud of how much our team has continued to grow and improve," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "Our student-athletes have worked extremely hard and have been absolutely committed to our program's goals.
"It is a nice recognition for DePaul and for our student-athletes, but we all know there's still a long way to go."
After being picked by coaches in the preseason to finish last in the BIG EAST's National Division, DePaul qualified for the playoffs and fell to USF 1-0 in the first round.
Tara Strickland, who led the team in goals (seven), assists (six) and points (20), was named second-team All-BIG EAST while freshman defender Chelsea Grant was named to the All-BIG EAST Rookie Team.
Along with freshman goalkeeper Claire Hanold---who set a school record with nine shutouts---the Blue Demons return 10 of their 11 starters for next season.
"We have a wonderful group of returning players, and we're excited to get to work in the offseason," said Chastain as the returning starters accounted for 22 of the team's 25 goals. "For all of us, 2009 is over and 2010 is our focus going forward."
DePaul's best season since 2003 saw the team register 25 goals, 17 assists and 67 points. In 2008, the Blue Demons had 16 goals, 11 assists and 43 points.
The Blue Demons outscored their opponents 25-23 this season after being outscored 40-16 last year. DePaul out-pointed its foes 67-61 in 2009. Last year, opponents out-pointed DePaul 120-43.
