DePaul University
UIC
DePaul Goes "Old School" to Beat Illinois-Chicago
8/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
Aug. 27, 2010
CHICAGO - Even with the influx of new players and the "DePaul Soccer---The Next Generation" theme embraced by coach Craig Blazer, it was a couple of grizzled veterans who demonstrated their leadership on Friday night.
Sixth-year senior Alex Mangan scored the winning goal on an assist from senior Andre Gutierrez in the 54th minute to launch DePaul past a traditionally strong Illinois-Chicago team 1-0 in an exhibition match at UIC.
UIC has competed in five NCAA Championship tournaments and made a run to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2007.
Beating the Flames could springboard the Blue Demons into their season opener Wednesday at Green Bay.
"We're a young team still trying to forge our identity," Blazer said of his program that welcomes 14 new faces this season. "Getting the result against a good team like UIC is going to go a long way with a young team like this.
"This was a great response by the upperclassmen from the first game (1-1 tie against Missouri S&T). It's a credit to the older guys."
Gutierrez played a corner kick to the back post where Mangan connected on what Blazer described as a "textbook header."
After that, DePaul's defense closed down the Flames.
"The defense played extremely well with Matt Leinauer, Austin Toth, John Jandl and Andre Gutierrez working in the back line and Joe Ferrari in goal," Blazer said. "In addition, the rest of the guys did a great job of disrupting UIC's services. It also helped that we had very good possession in the first half.
"In the second half, UIC was pumping a lot of balls into our end. But we stuck to our game plan and came away with the win.
"This is a big win against a very successful NCAA program."
Mangan took two of DePaul's four shots, and both were on goal. Freshman Ray De Leon's lone shot was on goal and Antonio Aguilar had the other shot. DePaul and UIC each had shots and both had three shots on goal.
It was a physical battle waged by these cross-town rivals as DePaul was whistled for 16 fouls and UIC for 15.
The back line and Ferrari gave up just one goal in two exhibition matches. Mangan and Aguilar, a BIG EAST All-Rookie Team selection last year, will attack from the forward position.
Willy Lara, David Leverentz, Mauricio Velasco and De Leon are looking good in the midfield. When Blazer plugs Scott Freundlich into the back line, Gutierrez can move up to the midfield.
"We were a little disappointed in that first game," Blazer said. "But after another week of training, what a great performance from the upperclassmen.
"We were very poised tonight, and it showed our players that they are capable of being very successful."
