DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Opens Two-Game Home Stand on Friday
9/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Sept. 29, 2011
CHICAGO - If DePaul winds up in a sixth-consecutive overtime match, watch for the Blue Demons to bring a distinctive edginess to that extra period.
That's something the Blue Demons have learned in their stretch of overtime games as they confront Providence at 3 p.m. Friday in a BIG EAST Conference matchup at Wish Field.
"We've learned that it takes an edge to win in overtime," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "We brought some of that edge to the Marquette game. But USF brought that same edge against us.
"When I say edge, I'm talking about a toughness and a leave-it-all-on-the-field kind of thing. No matter how tired you are, come in and fight and make a difference for your team."
That's exactly what happened when Sarah Gorden scored the golden goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over Minnesota. Chastain saw that fighting spirit in a 1-1, double-overtime tie at Louisville and a 2-1 overtime loss at No. 10/13 Marquette.
"Our younger players are learning what that push looks like, and with this stretch of overtime games---we'll be better for it," Chastain said. "We're finding out that our team is a fighting group that will be ready for Friday.
"With all that, you also need a level of confidence and a sense of being on the same page with your teammates."
DePaul goalkeeper Megan Pyrz has exhibited a remarkable level of confidence and has been totally in sync with her teammates during her first two collegiate starts.
Pyrz has made a total of 23 saves and kept the Blue Demons close against Marquette and USF.
"Megan has been outstanding," Chastain said. "As a freshman goalkeeper to have her face top teams like Marquette and USF on the road in her first two college starts in asking an awful lot.
"She really stepped up and came through with two outstanding performances."
Pyrz is exactly what Chastain had in mind to solidify the goalie position along with junior Claire Hanold.
"When I recruited Megan, I knew she was a winner," Chastain said. "She is very competitive and helped keep us in the last two games.
"It's wonderful to see how she has been so tough and so ready. Our whole team has embraced Megan stepping into that role."
Pyrz and the DePaul defense will focus on midfielder Laura Di Clemente who has scored a team-high six goals for Providence (4-4-4, 2-2-0 in the BIG EAST). Di Clemente also has three assists to lead the Friars with 15 points.
Courtney Collins and Taylor Bartini have each scored three times.
The Friars have outscored teams 16-10 and outshot them 140-89. Providence has fired 62 shots on goal compared to 42 for its opponents.
Pyrz's goalie counterpart Caitlin Walker has five shutouts for the Friars and a goals-against average of 0.78.
"It's going to be nice to play at home after arguably one of the most difficult road swings in the BIG EAST," said Chastain as DePaul looks to improve upon its 2-8-1 record, 0-3-1 in the BIG EAST.
Friday's 3 p.m. match should take on a festive atmosphere as DePaul's Staff Council is sponsoring a Faculty & Staff Day celebration.
It begins with a tailgate party at 2:15 p.m. in the "Tailgate Zone"---the parking lot next to Cacciatore Stadium. Afterwards, faculty and staff will head into the stadium to cheer on the Blue Demons against Providence.
Faculty and staff members receive a complimentary game ticket and tailgate pass by calling the DePaul Ticket Office at 773-325-7526. Faculty and staff may also reserve tickets for their guests at $5 each.
On Sunday, the Blue Demons will wear pink soccer jerseys to commemorate the "Kicks for Breast Cancer" event, a nationwide initiative to promote breast cancer awareness.
Commemorative pink bracelets will be handed out to the first 100 DePaul students attending the 1 p.m. BIG EAST match against Connecticut (4-4-2, 1-1-2).
There will be a raffle for a Nike gift bag, iPod Shuffle and a pink women's soccer jersey with all proceeds from the game going to support breast cancer awareness.
Blue Demon Quick Kicks
• This is the first time in the 16-year history of the women's soccer program that DePaul has played five overtime games in a row.
• Six of the last seven matches have required an extra period, and two have gone into double OT.
• Ashleigh Goddard, Morgan Celaya and Amber Paul lead the team with two goals apiece.
• Gorden, Michelle Scandora and Rebekah Roller have each scored one goal.
• Roller tops the team in assists with two.
• Pyrz made 10 saves against Marquette and 13 against USF.
• Celaya leads DePaul with 30 shots and is tops with 14 shots on goal.
• Paul has fired 20 shots with eight on goal. • After a 0-5 start, DePaul is 2-3-1 in its last six games.
• The final two dates for Faculty & Staff Day celebrations are Oct. 5th before the men's soccer game against Green Bay and Oct. 14th before the volleyball match against Notre Dame.
