DePaul University Athletics
Mangan Always Ready to Take One for the Team
9/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO - The short walk from the locker room to Wish Field has now become a journey of self-discovery for Alex Mangan.
The 18th-leading scorer in school history is constantly searching for the best contribution he can make from an unfamiliar position---coming off the bench.
This from DePaul's leading goal scorer in 2006 and 2007 whose passion for the sport has him deflecting hard line drives with his head.
Mangan's inner conflict is a veritable tug-of-war. On one side is the desire to play all 90 minutes, score game-winning goals and turn back the clock to '07.
On the other side is Mangan's personal makeup that won't allow him to put anything before the Blue Demons.
This is one guy who wouldn't hesitate to take one for the team.
"I'd like to play every minute of every game, but the guys have a good thing going right now and I don't want to jeopardize that," said Mangan, who is expected to start Friday at Pittsburgh. "I don't want to put my self-interests ahead of the team.
"If you told me our team would win every game with me playing zero minutes, I would do that in a heartbeat."
Mangan has scored two goals in limited playing time and said he is fully recovered from the season-ending injury he sustained in the first match last year.
With Steffen Vroom banged up after last Friday's 2-1 loss to Notre Dame, Mangan got his first start Sunday in a 2-1, double-overtime victory over Marquette.
"It was great to be out there again," Mangan said. "Since sitting out last year, I've been looking forward to standing at midfield when the starting lineups are called out. It was awesome to play 90-plus minutes, and I did feel like my old self again.
"What makes me different from some other players is that I'll dive or put my head and face into places where they shouldn't be to gain an advantage. I'm not a pretty player or anything like that.
"Some people may call me stupid for doing it, but that's just me."
His teammates admire the selfless maturity and have nicknamed him "Gramps."
Mangan smiled at the reference.
"I'm not even the oldest guy on the team," Mangan said. "Vroom is older than me. I don't know why they call me Gramps, but if it's because they look to me as a wise individual, then I'm flattered.
"My teammates think of me as a leader because I'm vocal, passionate and not afraid to show it in practice. My passion is my strength---and it can also be my weakness. My love for soccer and what I pour into it sometimes boils over and I let it get the best of me."
DePaul (4-3-0, 1-1-0 in the BIG EAST), is hoping to see the best of Mangan for their back-to-back BIG EAST matches at 6 p.m. Friday at Pittsburgh (1-6-0, 0-2-0) and 3 p.m. Sunday at West Virginia (2-2-2, 1-1-0).
Mangan has helped spark a DePaul offense whose 14 goals are third-most in the BIG EAST and tied for 24th in the nation. That comes after just seven matches. Last season, DePaul scored 13 goals in 20 matches.
"I don't want to jinx anything, but I've been here five years and this definitely has never happened," Mangan said. "Different people---Mark Plotkin, Antonio Aguilar, Matt Leinauer, Vroom---are stepping up and scoring."
Mangan realizes Vroom's eventual return to the lineup will likely relegate him back to 12th-man status.
"I've been here long enough that I've had my moments," Mangan said. "I've had a lot of good times. I've learned how adversity builds character, and I've grown a lot as a person.
"There have been times this season when I felt like there wasn't a spot for me on the field. When it comes to that, there's not much I can do. I'm a part of this team, and it's up to me to find my role.
"I'll be the best sub I can be if that what it takes to win."