DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Indiana
Pekovitch Plus Gorden Equals Win Over Indiana
8/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Aug. 7, 2011
CHICAGO - Erin Pekovitch made a lasting first impression Sunday at Wish Field at Cacciatore Stadium.
The sophomore from Lake Zurich scored the winning goal just before halftime in DePaul's 1-0 exhibition victory over Indiana.
Pekovitch was set up with a smooth pass from speedy freshman Sarah Gorden.
"I saw Sarah getting in on-line and I know she's a very fast player---there was definitely a chance to get it in," Pekovitch said. "I got myself free, composed myself and hit it in.
"I was actually very relaxed when the ball came to me. I wasn't freaking out or anything.
"The first goal of the season, it was like a rush of adrenaline."
There were a number of times on Sunday when Gorden, the 2010 IHSA state champion in the 100-meter high hurdles, outran the Hoosiers.
"When the ball came to me, I know my greatest factor is my speed," Gorden said. "I took the ball on-line, got around (the Indiana player) and passed it to Erin.
"I knew she was definitely going to score."
The Blue Demons had two other golden opportunities. Arianna Foster just missed on a chance while going one-on-one against Indiana goalkeeper Lindsay Campbell in the first half.
In the second half, Morgan Celaya had her one-on-one shot blocked by the Hoosier goalie.
"We created some chances to score while not giving away too many," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "In some cases, we found out that 'almost' isn't good enough.
"Our group did a good job of creating scoring chances, but we have to do a better job in the final third (of the field) and finish off those opportunities."
After Pekovitch found the back of the net in the 44th minute, the DePaul defense clamped down on Indiana's attack.
Claire Hanold and freshman Megan Pyrz shared goalkeeper duties while a back line featuring Chelsea Grant, Rebekah Roller, Beth Perry, Gorden and Casey Mercurio limited the Hoosiers to four shots.
"I was glad we got to play so many of our kids," Chastain said. "It was especially valuable for the freshmen to see playing time.
"This game gave us a good idea of the kind of depth we could have this season."
DePaul has an exhibition game at Northwestern Friday and opens the regular season Aug. 19 against Iowa at Wish Field.
NOTES: The Blue Demons outshot Indiana 8-4 and had five corner kicks to one for the Big Ten visitor… Hanold made three saves on the afternoon and Pyrz was never tested… Celaya and Foster had two shots apiece while Pekovitch, Michelle Scandora, Kelly Blumberg and Perry had one shot apiece… in getting a good look at most of its roster, DePaul made 22 substitutions while Indiana made 18… since this was an exhibition match, both coaches agreed to unlimited substitutions.
