DePaul University Athletics
Pagone on Playoffs: "It's Do-or-Die"
10/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Oct. 27, 2010
CHICAGO - Lauren Pagone doesn't want this to be---the end.
Playoff soccer comes to Wish Field at Cacciatore Stadium Thursday for the first time in the 15-year history of the women's program when the Blue Demons face Pittsburgh in the first round of the BIG EAST Championship tournament.
Pagone, a senior, acknowledges the sense of finality looming over the 2 p.m. game.
"There is no `next game,' or `next week,' or for myself and the other seniors, there's no `next year,'" Pagone said. "My last season could be over on Thursday or maybe on Sunday (BIG EAST quarterfinals).
"I want it to continue as long as possible. Otherwise, I'm done with college soccer.
"It's sad."
Pittsburgh (7-10-2) comes into Wish Field riding a three-game winning streak that lifted the Panthers into fifth place---and the last playoff spot---in the American Division. They finished 4-6-1 in the BIG EAST.
BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week Morie Kephart has blanked Villanova (3-0), Providence (2-0) and Connecticut (1-0) in the winning streak.
The Panthers are led offensively by Ashley Cuba (six goals), Katelyn Ruhe (nine assists) and Liz Carroll (seven assists).
DePaul (10-8-2) has lost its last four games after winning five in a row.
"We're not thinking about a slump," said Blue Demon coach Erin Chastain. "Once you reach the postseason, all the previous wins and losses don't matter.
"The only thing that matters is that game on Thursday, and we are going to be extremely focused on playing Pittsburgh."
DePaul and Pittsburgh have eight common opponents---all BIG EAST teams. Against the same competition, DePaul was 3-5 and Pitt was 4-3-1.
"Playoff experience counts, and our group learned some lessons from our first BIG EAST playoff game last year at USF (1-0 loss)," Chastain said. "We learned that it's win, or go home.
"The stakes are raised. We learned that you need to be committed for every moment of the game."
That means forget about those last four losses and focus on the playoff opener.
"We still have our confidence," said Pagone, who leads DePaul with six goals and 13 points. "We just need to get that first goal, and everything will get back on track.
"We'll be fine. We are really good at home (8-2-1), and scoring that first goal will give us momentum."
Pagone's scrappy determination reflects the attitude of her whole team.
"It's do-or-die," Pagone said. "You've got to give it your all. You can't save it for anything.
"When you get the chance, go into a tackle real hard. What is there to lose? "It's time to put it all on the line."
