DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Want to Play---Right Away
9/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
Sept. 28, 2010
CHICAGO - DePaul can't return to the soccer field soon enough.
At 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Blue Demons welcome Northern Illinois to Wish Field at Cacciatore Stadium in search of a more upbeat result than their last match.
That would be last Friday when DePaul lost 5-0 at West Virginia in its BIG EAST Conference opener.
It was the most goals scored upon the Blue Demons since Oct. 3, 2009 when No. 17 Louisville came away with a 6-0 decision.
But that disappointing defeat was followed two days later by an inspiring 2-1 overtime victory at Cincinnati.
Will last Friday's game come to be remembered as the West Virginia wake-up call?
"I hope so," said DePaul coach Craig Blazer. "We're the kind of team that has to be ready for every game and play with a lot of energy from the get-go.
"That was the first time a game has gotten away from us."
Blazer told his players it was only one game, to learn from their lapses and to respond by making adjustments and coming out strong on Wednesday.
"The guys' spirits were back up there this week," Blazer said. "One of the great things about this team is that they have a short memory and keep getting better.
"We still know we're a good team."
Blazer saw other positive signs during training this week.
"I could see the guys changing their behavior in a positive way," Blazer said. "They are not going to let one loss deter them from their goal of getting to the BIG EAST tournament."
After a disappointing 2-0 loss to Eastern Illinois on Sept. 18, the Blue Demons rebounded with a 2-1 win over a Drake program that had advanced to the NCAA tournament quarterfinals in 2009.
Blazer is looking for a similar bounce-back.
"These guys still believe they are so close to having a successful season," Blazer said. "Sometimes you have a bad night against an opponent you don't match up with very well.
"This is our opportunity to get the program pointed back in the right direction. "We can't wait for Wednesday's game."
It won't be easy for DePaul (3-4-1, 0-1-0 in the BIG EAST). Northern Illinois (4-2-1) has won four in a row and only given up one goal in those four matches.
Goalkeeper Jordan Godsey has only been tested with 18 shots on goal, turning away all but three. His goals-against average is 0.57 in five games.
Heading up the Huskie offense are James Stevenson with three goals and Luis Mojica with two goals and one assist.
On Saturday, Villanova provides the opposition on a day when DePaul will formally dedicate its new stadium and honor Vic and Char Cacciatore and the Cacciatore family in a pre-game ceremony.
Villanova (5-2-1, 1-0-0) is another team on a roll, having won its last four matches. The Wildcats feature goalkeeper Chris Bresnahan (0.82 GAA, three shutouts), Kevin Garcia (three goals) and Dylan Renna (two goals, one assist).