DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Surrender Two Late Goals in Loss to Wisconsin
9/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
MADISON, WIS. - Just when it looked like DePaul was going to hang on for another victory, the bottom fell out Sunday in Badgers country.
Two late goals led to a disappointing finish in the Blue Demons' 2-1 loss to Wisconsin at McClimon Complex.
After a scoreless first half, DePaul's Tara Strickland booted a free kick from 25 yards out over the head of Wisconsin goalkeeper Michele Dalton in the 55th minute for a 1-0 lead.
That would wind up being one of only two shots on goal, the other coming off the foot of Jenna Fagerman. DePaul (4-2-2) took seven shots for the match.
In the meantime, Wisconsin (4-2-1) badgered DePaul goalie Claire Hanold with 14 shots, seven on goal. Hanold turned away five of them, but couldn't reach two shots by Alev Kelter.
Kelter scored her first goal in the 76th minute on a header after a corner kick from Meghan Flannery.
In the 89th minute, Kelter scored on another header with Flannery again providing the assist.
"We knew which player (Kelter) we needed to defend in their set pieces, but she still headed in that first goal," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain.
"On the second goal, we were playing conservatively at the end, realizing the possibility of overtime. There was some fatigue in our players during some of the plays leading up to that goal.
"I was disappointed in our effort. This is the first time this season I felt our players were outfought by the other team. It's the first time the other team wanted it more than we did."
Wisconsin took it to DePaul (4-2-2) with 14 shots to the Blue Demons' seven. The Badgers kept the action in DePaul territory as Dalton was only called upon to make one save.
The Blue Demons had come into the preseason in the best shape since Chastain took over three years ago. That edge in conditioning had contributed to the team's fast start---including seven goals in its first two games.
"It was hot out there, but the other team seemed to handle it okay," Chastain said. "We have to make some corrections, regroup and get ready for Notre Dame on Friday."
NOTES: Strickland led DePaul with three shots Sunday while Michelle Scandora, Arianna Foster, Fagerman and Janina Locascio each had one... Kelter had five shots for the Badgers with four on goal... on the season, DePaul has outscored its opponents 12-7 and out-pointed them 32-19... the Blue Demons have also outshot the opposition 95-69 with 45 shots on goal to 33 for their opponents... Hanold has given up seven goals in eight games for a 0.83 goals-against average with five shutouts... DePaul is 2-2-1 on the road and 2-0-1 at Wish Field.
