DePaul University Athletics
Underdog DePaul Ready to Battle in BIG EAST
9/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Sept. 15, 2011
CHICAGO - Beware the Blue.
That could be the DePaul slogan as the women's soccer team opens BIG EAST Conference action with a 4 p.m. match on Friday against Cincinnati at Wish Field.
BIG EAST teams could take one look at the Blue Demons' 2-5-0 record in nonconference play and be tempted to dismiss them as a playoff hopeful.
"It's very possible teams may overlook us after the slow start," said sophomore forward Ashleigh Goddard. "That could be an advantage to us.
"It would be silly to underestimate us. We're still a strong side and had the strength to overcome five losses."
After opening the season with five losses, DePaul has won back-to-back matches against Loyola Chicago by a 1-0 score and Minnesota (2-1 in overtime).
"Everything steps up---the level of play and the importance of each game," Chastain said about conference play. "Teams are fighting for a berth in the BIG EAST playoffs, trying for the first-round bye and looking to secure favorable matchups.
"I am hopeful that because of the difficulty of our nonconference schedule, our players will be ready right away for the BIG EAST."
Goddard did such a good job of elevating her game for the league season last year that she was named to the All-BIG EAST Rookie Team.
"From the beginning, every game is like a final," said Goddard, whose late goal against Minnesota forced the overtime. "You don't want to lose a single game.
"It's like you're rising to another level when you play in the BIG EAST. You get everyone's best game, and it's a pretty physical style.
"That's why we had such a difficult nonconference schedule---it got us ready for this.
"Erin told us she wouldn't have made the schedule so tough if she didn't think that we could win those games."
Cincinnati (4-2-2) is also on a two-game winning streak, and four players have done all the scoring.
BIG EAST Rookie of the Week Mackenzie Grause had three goals and two assists in last weekend's sweep of College of Charleston and Coastal Carolina. She leads the Bearcats with four goals.
Emily Hebbeler, Jazmine Rhodes and Christi Howard have each scored three times as Cincinnati has outscored teams 13-9.
The Bearcats own a 138-78 advantage in shots and have a 67-40 edge in shots on goal.
"Cincinnati has a couple of talented forwards, and the team has had some good results," Chastain said. "It's a confident group that will come to Wish Field ready for a tough game.
"We went through the most difficult nonconference schedule since I've been here, but I'm happy with the lessons we learned early. We got better every game while facing a high level of competition.
"We won our last two games against good teams, and that demonstrated the toughness and character of our group."
Qualifying for the BIG EAST Championship tournament for the third year in a row won't be an easy task.
"Judging from scores across the board, there is going to be a lot of parity in the league this season," Chastain said. "On any given day, anyone can come away with a win.
"It's the team that shows up every day with players who believe in each other and take care of details that will be successful."
Freshman defender Sarah Gorden certainly took care of business last week, scoring the golden goal in last Sunday's overtime win over the Golden Gophers and being named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll.
"I was really happy for Sarah, and she came up with some terrific performances last week," Chastain said. "She found a way to make a big impact on each game.
"Defensively, she is as solid as they come. From an attacking perspective as an outside back, she is what any coach would want."
Blue Demon Quick Kicks
• The combined record of DePaul's nonconference opponents is 32-16-2.
• Chastain & Co. opened the season against Iowa (8-0-0), No. 17/11 Milwaukee (7-1-0) and Michigan State (7-1-0).
• The Blue Demons lost to Iowa 3-0 and to Milwaukee and Michigan State by a 1-0 score.
• DePaul went 5-6-0 in the BIG EAST last season and finished fourth in the National Division.
• Goalkeeper Claire Hanold is second in the BIG EAST in saves with 33.
• Goddard and freshman Amber Paul lead DePaul with two goals apiece.
• Goddard and Paul are also tops in points with five.
• Rebekah Roller has one goal and a team-high two assists.
• Morgan Celaya is first in shots with 18 followed by Paul with 13, Michelle Scandora with 12 and freshman Nikki Condit with 10.
• Celaya has the most shots on goal with seven while Goddard, Paul and Scandora each have six.
