DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Milwaukee
Early Goal Victimizes Battling Blue Demons
8/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Aug. 21, 2011
MILWAUKEE - For all but 43 seconds, DePaul battled a talented Milwaukee team to a virtual standstill on Sunday.
But a goal by Kelly Lewers in the first minute stood up as the difference in the Blue Demons' 1-0 loss at Moynihan Field.
Lewers made a run in the box and took a pass from midfielder Kelsey Holbert. The freshman from Homewood-Flossmoor chipped in a shot past Blue Demon goalkeeper Claire Hanold.
That would be the only time Hanold would allow anything into the back of the net despite the Panthers unleashing 21 shots with 10 on goal.
Defensively, DePaul (0-2-0) did a splendid job slowing down one of the nation's most dangerous players, preseason All-American Sarah Hagen.
Hagen, who had two goals and an assist in Milwaukee's 3-2 season-opening win over Michigan State on Friday, was well-covered throughout the afternoon.
Early in the second half, the Panthers' senior forward got off a left-footed shot from the right side that Hanold stopped.
"With the exception of that early goal, we played well defensively," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "There were a couple of services that got behind our back line in the first half, and we made adjustments for that in the second half.
"Hagen is a special player who has scored a lot of goals (69) in her career. We didn't give her or Milwaukee that many dangerous chances.
"Kelly Blumberg excelled as our holding midfielder and Amber Paul also did a nice job in the midfield. Rebekah Roller had a very good performance helping to anchor our defense and Claire played well once again."
DePaul's best chance to tie the game came in the 82nd minute. Freshman Nikki Condit broke free down the left wing and had a good angle at the Panther net. She aimed it high over the head of the Milwaukee goalkeeper, but Jamie Forbes was able to leap up and catch the shot with outstretched arms.
"We created more chances in the second half," Chastain said. "The team learned a tough lesson on Friday (in 3-0 loss to Iowa).
"I thought our players responded really well after our season-opening loss. We found out this team is capable of battling and fighting back."
The Panthers took that one-goal advantage into halftime and had the upper hand statistically. In the first 45 minutes, Milwaukee fired 10 shots while DePaul retaliated with four shots. Hanold was forced to make five saves while Panthers keeper Forbes from St. Charles North made two.
DePaul held its own against a Milwaukee program that has qualified for the NCAA Championship tournament five times in the last six years. The Panthers were 12-7-2 last season and won their 11th consecutive Horizon League title.
"After last Friday, it was good to see our players display more of that fighting spirit we had in 2010," Chastain said.
DePaul returns to action Friday, taking on Michigan State.
NOTES: DePaul was outshot 21-10 and Milwaukee had a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal... Morgan Celaya led the Blue Demons with four shots while Paul had two... Condit, Michelle Scandora and Arianna Foster each took one shot... Celaya, Paul and Condit each had one shot on goal... DePaul is looking for its first goal of the season... in 2010, the Blue Demons scored three times in their first two matches... the Panthers lead the all-time series with DePaul 3-1-0... DePaul topped Milwaukee 3-2 in double overtime on Sept. 12, 2004... Milwaukee's roster includes nine players from the Chicago area, including Holbert (Lyons Township High School), who had the assist.
