DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Loyola-Chicago
Mangan Strikes Twice in Lifting DePaul Past Loyola-Chicago
9/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
Sept. 15, 2010
CHICAGO - It was nearly "hats off" to Alex Mangan on Wednesday.
Coming one goal shy of a hat trick, Mangan shot DePaul to a 2-1 victory over cross-town rival Loyola-Chicago in the first men's soccer match played in the new Wish Field at Cacciatore Stadium with the stadium's bleachers opened.
"In our pre-game huddle, we talked about scoring early and how big it would be for us," Mangan said. "Then, this really becomes a tough place to play."
The senior forward obliged with a goal from 10 yards out to cash in on a one-on-one opportunity against Loyola goalkeeper Peter McKeown.
"Tony (Antonio Aguilar) was dribbling and I saw an opening at the top of the box," Mangan said. "I happened to be running through when I got a touch and then hit it with the outside of my right foot."
Mangan's second goal of the young season came in the 12th minute for a 1-0 lead.
But Loyola (0-4-1) didn't waste any time retaliating. Less than two minutes later, Andy Weis scored on a diving header after being set up by Will Martin and James Howe.
"Once we score, the next five minutes are really crucial," Mangan said. "You need to keep possession. They tied it, and that can happen with a young team."
But in the 17th minute, Mangan struck again. This time, it was on a sharply executed, well-timed header off a textbook corner kick from Willy Lara. It was a bang-bang play in which McKeown never had a chance.
"That felt really great," Mangan said of goal No. 3. "Willy played a great ball and I lost my mark. It was Willy's corner kick that made the goal. I had the easy job."
Playing defensively in the second half, DePaul held off the Ramblers behind a back line of Matt Leinauer, Austin Toth, Andre Gutierrez and John Jandl. Goalkeeper Joe Ferrari made two nice saves to help preserve the victory.
"I really applaud the defense and everyone on the field for their effort in the second half," said DePaul coach Craig Blazer. "We did well to hold off a Loyola team that was attacking at the end.
"We're excited to continue our winning ways at Wish Field."
DePaul (2-2-1) is 2-0 this season at Wish Field.
After watching his team score three goals in its first four matches, Blazer was pleased with the productive Blue Demon attack.
"I'm very encouraged with the way things are coming together offensively," Blazer said. "On offense, we played as good as we could in the first half.
"When Alex Mangan gets good space and time in the box, he is one of the premier headers in college soccer."
Mangan will look to spark the offense again on Saturday when the Blue Demons face Eastern Illinois (1-3-1) in a 4 p.m. match at Wish Field.
Eastern Illinois recorded its first victory with a 1-0 decision Wednesday at home against Western Illinois. DePaul had tied Western Illinois 1-1 in double overtime on Sept. 3.
NOTES: The pair of goals gives Mangan 48 points in his four-year career, placing him eighth all-time in school history... Cedric Thompson is seventh with 56 points... Mangan now has 23 career goals and needs three more to equal Thompson, DePaul's fifth-leading career goal scorer... Mangan led both teams with three shots, two on goal... Jared Blincow took two shots and Aguilar had one... Loyola outshot DePaul 7-6 and had 10 corner kicks to three for the Blue Demons... in the second half, the Ramblers had eight corner kicks to none for DePaul... the Blue Demons are 2-0 this season at Wish Field and are 21-6-2 at home since 2007... Mangan's three goals and six points lead both categories while Matt Leinauer and Aguilar each have one goal... Lara has two assists, and freshmen Ray De Leon and Art Garza have one apiece... Ferrari has made 19 saves on the season and sports a 1.15 goals-against average... the premier goalkeeper in DePaul history, Brian Visser, was in the stadium's new stands marveling over the renovation and the terrific look of Wish Field at Cacciatore Stadium... the women's soccer team coaching staff and a number of players were in teh bleachers cheering on their male counterparts... also taking in the match was ex-Toronto head coach Preki Radosavljevic, father of DePaul freshman forward Natasa Radosavljevic.
