DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Men's Soccer Alumni a National Runner-Up
6/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | DEPAUL ATHLETICS FUND
June 15, 2011
DePaul came so close to winning it all.
The Blue Demon men's soccer alumni team fell to Northwestern 7-3 in the title game of the Fourth Annual National Alumni Soccer Championship June 11 at Northwestern's Lakeside Field in Evanston.
DePaul had advanced to the championship round with a mark of 3-0-1.
"A young Northwestern team jumped out to an early lead on us." DePaul team organizer Bob Kruse said. "We managed to scrap a few goals back, but we weren't able to put much together on tired legs."
The Blue Demons opened play with a 3-2 victory over Marquette thanks to a game-winning goal by Greg Brinkman with 1.6 seconds to play.
The soccer alumni carried over the momentum from game one into a 3-2 triumph over the University of Chicago. The Blue Demons came from behind yet again to slip by the Maroons.
Game three featured a matchup between DePaul and Xavier with the Blue Demons overpowering DePaul coach Craig Blazer's alma mater 5-1.
With a trip to the finals on the line, DePaul and Michigan State battled to a 4-4 tie. The Blue Demon alumni again showed their flair for the dramatic scoring a game-tying goal with less than 30 seconds left.
"I am proud of the alumni for their best finish ever at this event," Blazer said. "I am thrilled that our alumni represented DePaul so well.
"I am thankful that soccer alumni Bob Kruse and Jack Cummins took time out of their busy schedules to organize our alumni for this championship. It says a lot about their passion for DePaul and about our alumni's support of our program."
Blazer continued to thank Northwestern for its leadership in the development and administration of the event.
"I am grateful to Northwestern for hosting the annual soccer championship," Blazer said. "The tournament is great for college soccer and extends to our alumni a continuing opportunity to represent DePaul."
Tournament results
DePaul vs. Marquette (W, 3-2)
DePaul vs. University of Chicago (W, 3-2)
DePaul vs. Xavier W, (5-1)
DePaul vs. Michigan State (T, 4-4)
DePaul vs. Northwestern (L, 7-3, title game)
2011 Alumni Team
Brian Allen, Bob Beard, Jason Braschayko, Greg Brinkman, Jack Cummins, Pat Ferrell, Eric Hermosillo, Bob Kruse, Mark Lara, Alex Mangan, Anthony Minniti, Luke Rojo, Peter Sterbenz, Dave Theriault and Brent Zang.
