DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Michigan State
Scoring Drought Continues for Blue Demons
8/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Aug. 26, 2011
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - DePaul came to the U-M Soccer Stadium Friday in search of its first goal and first victory of the season, but came away empty-handed on both counts.
Michigan State's three-time All-American Laura Heyboer chipped in a shot off a pass from Paige Wester in the 78th minute in handing the Blue Demons a 1-0 loss in the Michigan Invitational.
The last time the women's soccer team opened the season with three losses was in 2008.
Until Heyboer knocked in her second goal of the season, the Blue Demons had done an admirable job of containing the Spartans' all-time leading scorer.
In the first 77 minutes, Heyboer was able to get off just one shot.
"Our back line (Sarah Gorden, Chelsea Grant, Rebekah Roller, Beth Perry) played very well," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "But you can't expect to keep good forwards off the board for 90 minutes every game.
"We created more offensive chances today than we did in two games last weekend. But our play in the attacking third needs to be sharper and more aggressive.
"We took 16 shots today. The way we coach, that should translate into two goals."
Unlike the first two games, DePaul went into halftime against the Spartans with a scoreless tie. In losses to Iowa and Milwaukee, the Blue Demons fell behind 1-0 in the first half.
There was a much more aggressive tone to the DePaul offense. After taking just 15 shots total in the first two matches of the season, these Blue Demons had launched 13 shots by early in the second half.
Scandora had taken two shots in the first two games and had five shots by the 55th minute. That included a pair of chances turned back by MSU goalkeeper Jill Flietstra.
Amber Paul had sent four shots Flietstra's way by early in the second half after taking just two in the first two games.
Morgan Celaya was equally as offensive-minded, striking four shots with three on goal.
In the 67th minute, Roller lifted a corner kick that Gorden connected on, forcing Flietstra to make her seventh save.
"I thought we put more stuff together in the run of play today," Chastain said. "Our post-game message to the team was: `You've got to score goals to win games.'
"Even though we did better today, and I'm happy that we can play with teams at this level---we need to be better in the final third on Sunday against a good Michigan team."
The Blue Demons will challenge the Wolverines on their home field at a 1:30 p.m. match on Sunday.
NOTES: Scandora led DePaul with five shots while Paul and Celaya each took four shots... Gorden, Kelly Blumberg and Rachel Pitman each took one shot... Celaya paced the team with three shots on goal and Scandora had two... Gorden and Paul each had one shot on frame... the Blue Demons outshot Michigan State 16-13 and had seven shots on goal to five for the Spartans... DePaul coach Erin Chastain stuck with her nucleus as Ashley Goddard, Kelly Blumberg, Rebekah Roller, Paul, Celaya, Gorden, Scandora, Beth Perry, Nikki Condit and Claire Hanold all started their third consecutive game... Chelsea Grant rounded out the starting lineup with her second start...Gorden, Grant, Blumberg, Roller, Paul, Celaya and Scandora all played the entire 90 minutes against Michigan State (1-1-0).
