DePaul University
Providence
Scandora Heads DePaul in Right Direction
9/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Sept. 30, 2011
Blue Tube - Highlights
CHICAGO - Michelle Scandora made sure DePaul didn't play in a sixth-straight overtime match.
The 5-foot, 11-inch senior took advantage of every bit of her height, heading in the winning goal in the Blue Demons' 1-0 BIG EAST Conference victory over Providence Friday at Wish Field.
DePaul's first BIG EAST win snapped a stretch of five overtime matches in a row.
"We were ready and knew we could score on a corner kick," Scandora said about her second goal of the season off a Rebecca Roller corner kick in the 74th minute. "Becca hit a great ball and I just jumped up and went for it.
"It felt good when I jumped. It was the right angle, and I hit it in."
Scandora's big shot made up for an unlucky attempt in the first half. The midfielder directed a laser of a header straight towards the Providence net when a Friar defender standing on the goal line deflected it away.
"Providence did a great job of defending that corner kick," Scandora said. "For us, it was unlucky that they stopped it at the goal line."
Speaking of stops, DePaul freshman goalkeeper Megan Pyrz didn't give up anything in registering the first shutout of her collegiate career.
Pyrz had come into Friday's match having made a combined 23 saves in road games at No. 10/13 Marquette and USF---a pair of difficult BIG EAST environments for visiting teams.
"Was I nervous before the Marquette game---just a little," Pyrz said with a laugh. "My teammates totally had my back and gave me all the support I needed.
"I would be nothing without my teammates. They have given me all the confidence I've needed."
DePaul defenders Chelsea Grant, Roller, Beth Perry and Sarah Gorden combined to limit Providence (4-5-4, 2-3-0 in the BIG EAST) to eight shots and four shots on goal.
"All the backs did a good job in contributing to the shutout," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "They also offered something from an attacking perspective.
"Becca got the assist on Michelle's goal and Sarah had a nice shot on goal. Chelsea almost scored on a header after a corner kick."
DePaul (3-8-1, 1-3-1) appeared to be in control for most of the game.
"Our defense did a nice job limiting Providence's dangerous chances," Chastain said. "They did have one in the second half, and Megan made a nice save.
"That's what a goalkeeper is supposed to do---keep you in the game.
"We had shown we can keep a game tight. Knowing we can win a close game could get us over the hump as we get ready for a good Connecticut team on Sunday."
The 1 p.m. match at Wish Field is part of the nationwide "Kicks For Breast Cancer" initiative. All proceeds from the Connecticut game will go towards breast cancer awareness.
"I love playing in pink games, and it's really important to spread awareness of breast cancer," Scandora said. "As an athletic team at DePaul, we have the power to do that."
NOTES: Until Friday, every BIG EAST game DePaul had played in this season had gone into overtime... overall, Friday's regulation win snapped a school-record stretch of five-consecutive overtime matches... Providence's leading scorer Laura Di Clemente had come into the match with six goals, and the Blue Demons did not allow her to take a single shot... DePaul outshot Providence 20-8 and held a 9-4 edge in shots on goal... the Blue Demons came away with nine corner kicks to the Friars' four... Scandora led her team with four shots and two on goal... Rachel Pitman and Morgan Celaya each had three shots and two on goal... Amber Paul also had three shots... Grant had two shots with one on goal... Gorden and Nikki Condit each had one shot on goal.
