DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Villanova
No. 15/15 DePaul Extends Undefeated Streak to 13 Games
10/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
VILLANOVA, Pa. - No. 15/15 DePaul kept its record-breaking unbeaten streak going on a sunny and gorgeous Sunday afternoon in the Keystone State.
Behind first-half strikes by Amber Paul and Abby Reed, the Blue Demons came away with a big 2-1 BIG EAST Conference road victory over Villanova at the new Higgins Soccer Complex. DePaul is now 11-0-2 on the season and 3-0-1 in the BIG EAST.
The Blue Demons are one of only four undefeated teams left in Division I with the other three (UCLA, Stanford, Washington State) from the Pac-12. Washington State plays at Stanford in a 3 p.m. match on Sunday.
The 13-game unbeaten streak eclipses the eight-game streak DePaul set as the program record last season.
There is a good reason for the team's sustained excellence. These Blue Demons are not getting caught up in what they're accomplishing or its significance on the national soccer scene.
"The kids are so grounded and continue to have respect for everyone we play," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "One of the things I'm most happy about is their ability to do that.
"This is women's college soccer, and anything can happen on a given day. No matter what your record is and how much success you've had, you have to show up for every game and be in the moment.
"That's exactly what we've done, and we are not looking beyond anyone."
In the 24th minute, Nina Kodros lifted a textbook cross from left to right that Paul headed into the far left post past Villanova goalkeeper Emma Meyer. Paul scored the game-winner in Thursday's 1-0 win at Seton Hall.
Meyer singlehandedly kept the Wildcats in the game nine minutes later with her save on Rachel Pitman's penalty kick. Alexa Ben was fouled in the box to set up the PK.
The potent Blue Demon offense kept up the pressure in the attacking third. Elise Wyatt made a nice move around a Wildcat defender, dribbled just inside the end line and set up Reed with a cross through the center of the box for her game-winning goal in the 37th minute. It was Reed's ninth goal of the season and her sixth game-winner.
"I love how excited we get after scoring a goal," said Chastain as her group has found the back of the net 31 times this season. "It's really hard to score a goal in this game.
"I thought we created a lot of chances and could have been a little sharper in the final third with our finishes. We made it a little tougher on ourselves letting in a goal, but overall, we dominated the game."
Villanova tightened up the proceedings early in the second half as Christina Camassa scored on a shot outside the box into the near post off an assist from Amanda Vocella.
Going on the road and winning two matches is quite an accomplishment in the rugged BIG EAST.
"I'm really happy to come back from our road trip with six points," Chastain said. "It's really demanding. We've been gone since Wednesday, and it's been a long road trip."
Chastain's side will be back in Lincoln Park all week preparing for Saturday's 3 p.m. BIG EAST match against Creighton at Wish Field.
NOTES: DePaul has a four-game winning streak against Villanova including back-to-back triumphs in the BIG EAST Championship… Paul was the first visiting player to light up the scoreboard at the new Higgins Soccer Complex… the Blue Demons have scored the first goal in six of their seven games… Wyatt had an assist on Sunday after scoring three times against Villanova in two BIG EAST tournament games… DePaul's 17 goals in the first half are more than the Wildcats have scored this season… DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette and St. John's are tied for first in the BIG EAST with 3-0-1 records and 10 points... the Blue Demons outshot Villanova 22-5 and came away with an 11-1 advantage in shots on goal… DePaul had an 8-0 edge in corner kicks and forced Meyer to make nine saves… Wyatt had six shots with one on goal and Rachel Pitman took five shots with four on goal… Paul and Ben each had four shots with two on frame while Reed had three shots with two on goal... Reed's nine goals ties Julianne Sitch (2004) for third-highest in a season... Wyatt's eight goals ties Sitch's 2002 mark for fifth highest... Reed's 21 points ties Sitch's mark in 2002 for fourth-highest in program history... Ben's six assists equals Tara Strickland's mark in 2009 for fifth highest... DePaul's 31 goals is the third-highest single-season total... the team's 83 points and 29 assists are also third-best for a season.
