DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
USF
Battle by the Bay Doesn't Go DePaul's Way
9/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Sept. 26, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. - It was a battle by the bay, and DePaul came up a little short in the end.
Playing in their fifth consecutive overtime match, the Blue Demons lost 1-0 to USF Monday.
The originally scheduled BIG EAST Conference matchup on Sunday was cancelled because of severe weather and lightning in the 39th minute with USF ahead 2-0.
The rescheduled game began with a 0-0 score and stayed that way until the 94th minute when Chelsea Klotz scored the golden goal on an assist from Demi Stokes.
DePaul freshman goalkeeper Megan Pyrz came through with a heroic effort, making 13 saves and withstanding a Bulls attack that launched 25 shots.
But an overtime flurry proved too much for Pyrz as USF had four shots in a span of 40 seconds. Pyrz made two saves and a third shot hit the crossbar.
At the outset of overtime, DePaul defender Rebekah Roller blocked a shot at the goal line.
The Blue Demons had two chances to score at the end of the second half.
In the 82nd minute, Nikki Condit made a nice move and rifled a shot that was just a little high over the Bulls' net.
With 21 seconds left, Natasa Radosavljevic fired a shot that was saved by USF goalkeeper Nicole McClure.
"Our group is disappointed with another overtime loss," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "We will be extremely focused on our attack in preparation for our home game on Friday against Providence.
"We are excited to come home and continue to battle and represent DePaul."
USF (5-3-3, 1-1-2 in the BIG EAST) outshot DePaul 13-3 in the second half and had six shots on goal to the Blue Demons' two.
At the end of regulation time, Pyrz had already made 10 saves.
After a scoreless first half, USF had six shots to three for DePaul (2-8-1, 0-3-1). The Bulls had four shots on goal to one for the Blue Demons. DePaul's shot on frame in the first half came from Rachel Pitman in the 12th minute.
The Blue Demons return to Wish Field on Friday for the beginning of a two-game, BIG EAST home stand. They have a 3 p.m. match on Friday against Providence and a 1 p.m. match on Sunday against Connecticut.
NOTES: DePaul has played in five overtime matches in a row... six of its last seven have gone into an extra period... in that span, the Blue Demons have played four single overtimes and two double overtimes... Pyrz has been busy in the first two starts of her collegiate career... the freshman from Plymouth, Minn. has made 23 saves in two games, including 10 last Thursday at Marquette... Rachel Pitman, Morgan Celaya, Sarah Gorden, Kelly Blumberg, Condit and Radosavljevic each had one shot for DePaul... Pitman, Celaya and Radosavljevic had one shot on goal apiece... USF had 25 shots and 14 shots on goal... Pyrz, Chelsea Grant, Amber Paul, Michelle Scandora, Roller and Beth Perry played all 94 minutes while Gorden played 93 minutes... Klotz scored the winning goal in DePaul's 1-0 loss at USF in the first round of the 2009 BIG EAST Championship tournament...Friday will be the first of three Faculty & Staff Days with a soccer tailgate party for DePaul faculty and staff members in the "Tailgate Zone" located in the parking lot under the El tracks next to Cacciatore Stadium... the tailgate party begins at 2:15 p.m. leading into the men's soccer match against Northwestern... faculty and staff members receive one complimentary game ticket and one tailgate admission pass... the other Faculty and Staff Days are Oct. 5th before the men's soccer match against Green Bay and Oct. 14th before the volleyball match against Notre Dame... call the DePaul ticket office (773-325-7526) to reserve tickets... tickets for guests of faculty and staff members are $5.
