DePaul University
Loyola
Roller Sparks DePaul to Memorable Win
9/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Sept. 8, 2011
CHICAGO, Ill. - Rebekah Roller will remember this as one of the biggest goals of the season.
Her shot into the upper 90 back post in the 30th minute gave DePaul its first victory of the season, 1-0 over Loyola-Chicago Thursday night.
Roller took a pass from Beth Perry and fired her first goal of the season past Loyola goalkeeper Katie Groesch.
"Beth and I stood by the corner kick," Roller said. "I tapped to her and she set me up with a perfect ball.
"It was about 20 yards out. When it went in, I was just so excited. I hugged the closest player to me, Nikki Condit. I remember seeing all the people on the bench jumping up and down."
Roller's big shot at Loyola Soccer Park snapped a season-opening, five-game losing streak.
"I was really happy because everyone has been working so hard for this first win," Roller said. "We knew it would eventually come."
Blue Demon goalkeeper Claire Hanold and a back line of Roller, Chelsea Grant, Sarah Gorden and Kylie Nordness made certain the goal stood up.
"Our defense was much more solid than against Illinois State on Sunday," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "We did a good job of limiting their dangerous chances with the exception of a couple at the end of the game.
"The back line did a nice job of stepping up and pressing the ball. I'm happy for our team that we got our first win.
"I'm proud of our group. Despite the frustrating losses, they stepped on the field tonight, battled and got it done."
The goal came on just the second shot of the first half.
The Blue Demons were in command in the first 45 minutes, outshooting the Ramblers 5-1. They had three shots on goal to one for the home team.
Rachel Pitman got off a shot in the 33rd minute that went wide of the Loyola net. One minute later, Amber Paul put a shot on frame that was saved by Groesch. Paul had scored twice in last Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to Illinois State.
In the 41st minute, Pitman got another chance but was turned away by a Groesch save. That opportunity materialized after a Roller corner kick.
"We had been playing pretty well in those first five games," Roller said. "We just couldn't score enough. I was glad to get the ball rolling.
"I definitely believe this win will give us the push we've needed."
DePaul will go for two in a row in a noon matchup Sunday against Minnesota at Wish Field.
NOTES: DePaul outshot Loyola 10-4 and had five shots on goal while the Ramblers had two... Morgan Celaya, Condit and Pitman each had two shots... Roller, Paul, Pitman, Michelle Scandora and Ashleigh Goddard each had one shot on goal... the Blue Demons had five corner kicks and Loyola two... neither offense could get untracked until Celaya took the first shot of the match in the 20th minute that went wide... Loyola did not get off a shot until the 31st minute when Tricia Stonebraker's attempt was saved by Hanold.
