DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Feeling a Sense of Urgency
10/4/2011 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
Oct. 4, 2011
CHICAGO - There is a sense of urgency permeating through the DePaul soccer team as the season passes by in its irrevocable fashion.
There are moments of regret for results that got away.
But most of all, there is a realization that these Blue Demons have the talent and the potential to take off on a memorable run.
Maybe it all started with a 2-1 victory over Seton Hall on Sept. 24th.
It gained credibility with a follow-up 4-0 triumph over Northwestern.
And, a stand-up performance in last Saturday's loss at then-No. 17 Georgetown showed the young Blue Demons they can compete with the BIG EAST's elite.
If nothing else, one thing is becoming clear as DePaul heads into a 3 p.m. nonconference match on Wednesday against Green Bay (4-4-1).
The kids can play.
Players are becoming more familiar with each other's moves and tendencies. They are beginning to react and flow as one interconnected group.
"They are starting to understand their roles and responsibilities," said DePaul soccer coach Craig Blazer. "For us to be successful, we can't have even one guy not be ready to defend. They all have to be ready emotionally and with a high level of concentration.
"Everyone who steps onto that field has to be completely engaged."
Even more so now that the Blue Demons just passed the midpoint of their season.
"In these last three games, there has been a sense of immediacy with the guys," Blazer said. "It has got to be done now. We've let games get away from us.
"They are beginning to understand that ultimately it's the players' responsibility to step it up. There are so few games (nine) in a BIG EAST season."
Stepping away from the BIG EAST on Wednesday, DePaul (3-6-1, 1-1-0) will encounter a Green Bay team that has been outscored 14-12 but outshot opponents 134-117. The opposition does have a 60-57 edge in shots on goal.
Tony Walls has two goals and three assists for the Phoenix while Sam Krenzien, Kirby Allen and Alonso Flores each have a pair of goals.
The Blue Demons are coming off their best three-game stretch of the season with wins over Seton Hall and Northwestern and the 2-0 loss to Georgetown.
"Eric Sorby had a great game in goal for us at Georgetown and made a quality save in the second half to keep the score at 1-0," Blazer said. "The addition of Sorby to our lineup has been very good for us.
"Our team has developed a level of consistency at Wish Field. With only four home games left, we're excited about the opportunity to get back to Wish Field."
DePaul is 3-2-0 at home with one of the losses coming to then-No. 2/3 Creighton in overtime.
After Wednesday's match, the Blue Demons resume BIG EAST Conference play with a noon match on Saturday at Villanova (4-4-2, 1-1-0).
BLUE DEMON QUICK KICKS
• DePaul Staff Council is sponsoring a Faculty & Staff Day celebration with a tailgate party at 2:15 p.m. in the parking lot next to Cacciatore Stadium. Faculty and staff can reserve a ticket to the Green Bay game and a tailgate pass by calling the DePaul ticket office at 773-325-7526.
• David Selvaggi is No. 48 in the country in goals scored with five.
• Selvaggi is tied for fourth in the BIG EAST in goals scored.
• Selvaggi and Antonio Aguilar are tied for eighth in the BIG EAST in points with 10.
• Aguilar is tied for fifth in the BIG EAST in shots with 29 and Selvaggi is tied for ninth in with 27.
• Selvaggi leads DePaul with 16 shots on goal and Aguilar is second with 15.
• In conference-only games, DePaul is second in corner kicks and third in shots.
• Sorby has a 3-1-0 goalkeeper record with one shutout.
• Aguilar, Austin Toth and Kyle Gustafson have started in every game.
