No. 12/8 DePaul Faces Butler Looking to Stay Unbeaten
10/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
DePaul at Butler | 6 PM, Thursday
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DePaul at Marquette | 6 PM, Sunday
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CHICAGO - Part of the secret to No. 12/8 DePaul's success this season lies in its versatility, overall balance and ability to win in different ways.
With some teams, marking the top scorer and disrupting her game can bog down the entire attack.
Jumping out to an early lead can take out defensive-oriented teams, and the Blue Demons have scored first in seven of their last eight games.
A potent offense featuring Elise Wyatt (nine goals), Abby Reed (nine goals), Amber Paul (six goals) and Alexa Ben (five goals, seven assists) has enabled DePaul (12-0-2, 4-0-1 in the BIG EAST) to win five matches by scoring three or more times.
At the same time, a tight back line of Sarah Gorden, Rachel Pitman, Nina Kodros and Elizabeth Endy along with goalkeeper Alex Godinez has held 11 opponents to a single goal or less. They have only given up one goal in the last three games and have four shutouts on the season.
"We know our strengths and play to them," said Reed who is No. 2 in the nation with six game-winning goals. "We have a good offense that can score in a wide-open game with people like Elise Wyatt, Alexa Ben, Amber Paul and Rachel Pitman. I have confidence in everyone when they get in front of the goal.
"We also have a good defense that can hold another team down the whole game. There are other times when we have to play a gritty type of game and grind out a win.
"There are so many different kinds of weapons on this team that we've been able to adapt to different styles of soccer. Sometimes, we even surprise ourselves with the way we're able to use our different strengths to find a way to win."
That will come in handy as the Blue Demons encounter a pair of BIG EAST road challenges beginning with a 6 p.m. Thursday match at Butler (7-8-0, 1-4-0) and following up with a 6 p.m. match at talented Marquette (7-6-2, 3-1-1)on Sunday.
"Our team is really focused, and we are trying to get better every day," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "Our defense has been good in limiting opponents' chances, and we will need a great performance from them heading into our match against Butler.
"Butler has a couple of special attacking players and is a very good soccer team. It's an away game in BIG EAST play, and our team knows how tough these games are.
"Every game in conference has been a battle, and the points up for grabs in this match mean a lot for both teams.
Butler has outscored its opponents 27-20 and has a commanding 111-59 advantage in shots on goal. Elise Kotsakis leads the Bulldogs with eight goals while Sophia Maccagnone has four goals and eight assists.
Marquette has outscored teams 24-22 and holds a 94-75 edge in shots on goal. Mary Luba (four goals, four assists), Liz Bartels (three goals, four assists) and Jacie Jermier (four goals, one assist) head up the Golden Eagle attack. Steady goalkeeper Amanda Engel has five shutouts.
DePaul will arrive in Indianapolis in a first-place tie with Georgetown and St. John's in the BIG EAST. Marquette is right behind that trio in second place.
Reed has made an immediate impact after transferring in from Indiana State as DePaul is one of only two unbeaten teams in the country along with No. 1/1 UCLA.
"I've been welcomed since the first day and clicked right away with my new teammates," Reed said. "Everyone was so friendly from the start. That made it easier for me to fit in.
"I knew I was coming to a team with a lot of very good players, and all we needed was to come together. We have, and it has resulted in a great chemistry.
"I like the motivation from our unbeaten streak. We try to relax and not worry about it. We go into every game feeling like the underdog and don't feel any pressure from it. We play every game like it's going to be our last."
