DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Syracuse
Goddard, Radosavljevic Connect for Historic Win
10/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Oct. 3, 2010
CHICAGO - Introducing DePaul's latest scoring sensation: "The Freshmen Connection."
Rookies Natasa Radosavljevic and Ashleigh Goddard came through with some big-time goals, and in historic fashion led the Blue Demons to a 2-1 overtime victory over Syracuse Sunday at Wish Field at Cacciatore Stadium.
It was DePaul's third-straight win in single or double overtime---the first time that has happened in the program's 15-year history.
Syracuse (5-6-3, 2-3-0 in the BIG EAST) led 1-0 after an Alyscha Mottershead goal in the 24th minute when DePaul retaliated in the 44th minute.
"I came in as a sub, we were losing, and I wanted to make an impact," Radosavljevic said. "Callie (Hemming) made a great run and sent the ball over to me.
"I made a composed decision and scored."
Radosavljevic did not rush into her third goal of the season.
"It was on my left foot, and I made sure not to shoot it too hard or too soft," she said. "I looked up, shot it and it curved into the goal."
This BIG EAST Conference match remained deadlocked until the 93rd minute when Goddard scored her first collegiate goal.
"Ari (Arianna Foster) was running down the line, looked up at me and made eye contact," Goddard said. "She made it easy for me. It was a brilliant cross, and I was happy to get my head on the end of it."
Goddard's teammates have watched the freshman from London come so close to scoring on seven previous occasions. This time, she hit the bulls-eye. Those same teammates knocked her to the ground inside the Syracuse goal and piled on top of her.
"Everyone knew how much it meant to me to finally score," Goddard said. "Everyone was going crazy and jumping on me.
"I am so relieved. I've had so many chances to score, and I'm so happy I finally scored a goal."
With its third win in a row, DePaul improved to 3-2-0 in the BIG EAST and is tied for second place with Georgetown and Rutgers---who comes to Wish Field on Friday. Overall, the Blue Demons are 8-4-2.
"Syracuse is an extremely physical team," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain as players from both sides came off the field with injuries. "In the second half and overtime, we stepped up and battled with them.
"We struggled a little to get behind them because of the kinds of numbers they position behind the ball. We made some adjustments that seemed to work in the second half and in overtime."
How did Radosavljevic handle the rough stuff?
"Physicality is a big deal," said the freshman forward. "Everyone gets real fired up. It's a good way to get us pumped up and rowdy.
"When the other team is physical, you've got to get physical right back."
Along with classmates Rebekah Roller and Kylie Nordness who have helped anchor the defense, Goddard and Radosavljevic have made a quick impact on the Blue Demon program.
"It's great, but we can't take all the credit," Goddard said. "Our teammates have pulled us through.
"It wasn't one of our team's greatest performances, but we come from behind yet again. It shows the depth of our team.
"We're strong, so teams---beware."
NOTES: The last three-game winning streak for DePaul was 2009 when the Blue Demons beat Illinois State, Louisville and Cincinnati from Sept. 20-27... DePaul has won four out of five games for the first time since 2003... the three-game overtime winning streak has all come by identical 2-1 scores... Hemming's third assist combined with her four goals gives her the team lead in points with 11... right behind her are Tara Strickland (two goals, six assists) and Lauren Pagone (five goals) with 10 points... in the last five games in which DePaul has gone 4-1, the Blue Demons have outshot their opposition 83-39... Hemming & Co. have 39 shots on goal to 19 for their opponents in that span... in addition, DePaul has a 35-22 edge in corner kicks... Kelsey Hoinkes made her second start of the season at goalkeeper and is 2-0-0.
