DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Drake
Mangan's Third Game-Winner a Heady Feeling
9/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
Sept. 21, 2010
Bluetube: Highlights from win over Drake
CHICAGO - This time, Alex Mangan wasn't taking any chances.
Even after the referee signaled that his header had crossed the goal line after glancing off the crossbar in DePaul's 2-0 victory over Drake on Tuesday, Mangan headed the ball deeper into the net.
Flashback to Saturday: Mangan's header appeared to glance off the crossbar and into the Eastern Illinois net. But the referee ruled it did not cross the goal line.
"I just wanted to make sure this time," Mangan said of his fourth goal of the season and the 13th game-winner of his career. "It feels so good after Saturday's (2-0) loss.
"Tony (Antonio Aguilar) had been doing a great job of getting wide and holding the ball. He sent the ball across and it floated to me.
"I would prefer to eliminate the crossbar and posts. They haven't been very kind to me so far this season."
Following up Mangan's third game-winner of the season that came in the 74th minute, Aguilar scored an insurance goal in the 86th minute off a pass from---who else?---Mangan---in Wish Field at Cacciatore Stadium.
"Saturday was so frustrating," Mangan said about going scoreless after launching a season-high 14 shots on goal. "Since I've been here, that was the most offensive we've been.
"The more Tony can contribute offensively is just so huge for us. He is the guy that can make things happen for this team."
DePaul coach Craig Blazer was pleased with the way his team took control of the game against a talented Drake program that had advanced to the NCAA tournament quarterfinals last year.
"Our possession in the first half was outstanding," Blazer said. "The biggest thing of the first half is that we didn't give up a goal. The biggest play of the second half was Mangan's header.
"We needed Antonio in the second half. He went in there and settled the game down.
"After the tough loss on Saturday, this was huge for the development of the young guys on this team. Drake came in very confident after taking it to us (2-0 loss) last year at their place."
Mangan had one more accolade to deliver.
"I've got to give shout-out to our defense," Mangan said. "Those guys have been playing awesome. My goal wouldn't mean anything if they weren't keeping the zero back there.
"It was guys like Matt Leinauer, John Jandl, Andre Gutierrez and Austin Toth who played fantastic in the second half. And our goalkeeper, Joe Ferrari, also had a great game."
Beating a quality opponent like Drake is exactly what the Blue Demons need heading into their daunting BIG EAST Conference opener Friday at West Virginia.
NOTES: Mangan's 24th career goal puts the senior two behind Cedric Thompson for fifth all-time in school history... Mangan's 51 career points places him eighth all-time, five behind Thompson... DePaul is 3-1-0 at home this season and 22-7-2 at Wish Field since 2007... talk about offensive efficiency, the Blue Demons took 10 shots and eight were on goal... that gives Mangan & Co. 22 shots on goal in their last two games... Aguilar had three shots and two on goal while Mangan and Jandl each took two shots with both of them on goal... Stephen Korosis also had two shots with one on goal... Mangan leads the team with four goals and Aguilar is next with two... Mangan also tops the Blue Demons with nine points and Aguilar is second with five.
