DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Faces Rugged Road Test at No. 11/8 Providence
10/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
DePaul at No. 11/8 Providence | 6 p.m. Wednesday
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CHICAGO - DePaul men's soccer looks to keep its BIG EAST Conference playoff hopes alive with a showdown against one of the league leaders on Wednesday night.
The Blue Demons will face a Providence side that is 4-0-2 in conference for 14 points and tied with Xavier for first place. DePaul is 1-3-2 in the league with five points and is one point shy of Marquette (1-2-3) for the sixth and final playoff spot.
The Blue Demons are coming off back-to-back BIG EAST ties with Butler at home and St. John's on the road.
Providence is on a roll coming into Wednesday's match with a seven-game unbeaten streak. The Friars have not lost since a 2-1 overtime defeat to Clemson on Sept. 14. Five BIG EAST teams (Providence, Xavier, Creighton, Georgetown, Marquette) are ranked in the top 25 of both polls.
Providence is 9-2-2 overall and ranked No. 11 in the NSCAA/Continental Tire national poll and No. 8 in the Soccer America Men's Top 25 that were released on Tuesday.
The Friars have outscored their opponents 28-13 with a 77-16 advantage in points. They also have an 84-54 margin in shots on goal.
DePaul (4-7-4) will look to contain the potent Providence one-two punch of Mac Steeves with eight goals and two assists and Markus Naglestad with seven goals and two assists.
In addition, the Friars' attack boasts Fabio Machado with four goals and a team-high six assists along with Julian Gressel (four goals, two assists).
During its seven-game unbeaten streak, Providence has outscored its opponents 17-7. Goalkeeper Keasel Broome comes into the match with a 0.96 goals-against average and five shutouts.
DePaul will rely on junior goalkeeper Mack Robinson who is No. 27 in the country in saves. He is No. 3 in the BIG EAST in saves and No. 4 in saves per game. Simon Megally and Jalen Harvey lead the Blue Demons with four goals apiece. Freshman Hans Wustling has a team-high five assists which is fourth in the BIG EAST.
