DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Villanova
Captain Leinauer Saves the Day
10/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
Oct. 8, 2011
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Just when things were looking pretty grim, Matt Leinauer came to the rescue.
The DePaul captain scored his first goal of the season in the 85th minute in the Blue Demons' 1-1, double-overtime tie Saturday with Villanova at the VU Soccer Complex.
Picking up a point on the road in the BIG EAST Conference is significant for DePaul (4-6-2, 1-1-1 in the BIG EAST) as the men's soccer team fights for a spot in the league's postseason tournament.
Villanova (4-4-4, 1-1-1) went ahead 1-0 in the 42nd minute on a goal by Hayden Harr off an assist from Dylan Renna.
But DePaul found the equalizer after Antonio Aguilar fired perhaps the best shot of the game that was deflected by Villanova goalkeeper John Fogarty.
That was Leinauer's chance to save the day.
"It was great," said Leinauer who has become more offensive-minded since being switched from defender to midfielder. "I've been pushing to try and score the last several games and I've missed on a few chances.
"The goal was an instinctual thing. I was just trying to put it on frame.
"There was a definite urgency about us late in regulation time. But we kept our composure. We knew we could score because of the high press we had in the second half."
David Selvaggi was often at the point of the Blue Demon press.
"Selvaggi played really well for us," Leinauer said. "His pressure and movement really opened things up for everyone else."
Speaking of pressure, DePaul goalkeeper Eric Sorby fended off a Villanova attack that launched 25 shots.
"Sorby was outstanding," Blazer said of the sophomore who turned away eight of the nine shots on goal. "He made some huge saves and kept us in the game until we could score the tying goal.
"Being successful on the road in the BIG EAST is less about X's and O's and more about heart and determination. Our guys showed a tremendous amount of poise, determination and fight today."
That has been a recurring theme over the last five games.
"Everyone is becoming comfortable out there," Leinauer said. "We knew this was a good team, and it was only a matter of time before this happened.
"I'm glad everything is coming into focus now."
This resurgent, young soccer team will be on the road again for a 6:30 p.m. match on Wednesday against USF in Tampa.
NOTES: In the last five matches, DePaul is 3-1-1, including 1-1-1 in the BIG EAST... in that span, the Blue Demons have outscored their opponents 10-5... Aguilar has three goals and two assists in the last five games... Selvaggi has four goals in the last six games... Leinauer has one goal and two assists in the last five games... penetrating the Wildcat net is no small accomplishment as Villanova has only given up nine goals this season and has the fourth-best defense in the BIG EAST... Villanova outshot DePaul 25-15 and had nine shots on goal to seven for the Blue Demons... Selvaggi launched five shots with three on frame... Aguilar had four shots with one on goal... Leinauer took three shots with two on goal... Jared Blincow had one shot on goal while John Jandl and Michael Stankiewicz each took one shot.
