DePaul University
Michigan State
Gritty Blue Demons Battle Michigan State to a Standstill
9/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Sept. 10, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. - A battle-scarred defense and a goof-proof goalkeeper were the heroes for DePaul on Friday night.
Missing half of the back line due to injury on a night when the offense wasn't creating many scoring chances, the Blue Demons had just enough to tie Big Ten power Michigan State 0-0 in double overtime.
Goalie Claire Hanold and a back four of Rebekah Roller, Casey Mercurio, Beth Perry and Kylie Nordness turned back a Spartan attack that launched eight shots in the two overtimes.
Four of those shots came within a two-minute span in the second OT. One of those shots---by Megan Pines---hit the crossbar. In the first overtime, MSU's Courtney Shegos also hit the crossbar.
"It was definitely a battle out there, and we dodged a couple of bullets," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "I thought our back line played really well against a pretty dangerous front line that has some dynamic forwards.
"The defense prevented Michigan State from getting behind us and generating really good scoring chances in the box. Most of their shots were from well outside the 18-yard mark.
"I'm okay with giving those up. Claire will take care of those kinds of shots."
Hanold was quite busy tying a career-high with 10 saves while recording her third shutout of the season.
Michigan State (3-2-1), ranked No. 4 in the Great Lakes Region, had 19 shots to 10 for DePaul (3-2-2). The Spartans fired 10 shots on goal to just two for the Blue Demons.
"We didn't play well from an attacking perspective," Chastain said. "We lacked a little energy on offense.
"But part of that goes to Michigan State's defense. They have a good team that is real well-organized."
DePaul will look to sharpen up its offense for the 1 p.m. match on Sunday against Drake. This will be the first game to be played in the new Wish Field at Cacciatore Stadium.
"To get a tie on the road against one of the top teams in the Big Ten is a big step for our program," Chastain said. "With all the injuries to some of our key players, I'm encouraged by the play of our younger players."
NOTES: Lauren Pagone, Morgan Celaya and Tara Strickland each took three shots for DePaul while Rebekah Roller shot once... Pagone and Strickland each had one shot on goal... Michigan State had eight corner kicks to one for the Blue Demons... Hanold's 10 saves equals the career-high mark she set on Oct. 2, 2009 in a 2-1 loss at Pittsburgh... after the first seven games last year, DePaul was 4-1-2... Chastain has said this year's schedule is more difficult... the back line of Mercurio, Roller, Nordness and Perry played the entire game along with Kelly Blumberg... Pagone was in there for 103 minutes and Callie Hemming for 102... once again, all five DePaul freshmen saw action, led by Roller and Nordness.
