DePaul University Athletics
Weekend in Maryland Opens with Friday Match Against Towson
8/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO - Some early momentum has launched DePaul into its weekend in Maryland where the Blue Demons will face a pair of women's soccer teams separated by just 15 miles.
First stop is a 3 p.m. match Friday at Towson (1-0-1), the same group that gave DePaul all it could handle in a 2-1 season-opening victory for the Blue Demons two years ago at Wish Field.
On Sunday, coach Erin Chastain's team will take a short ride to Baltimore where the Blue Demons will encounter Loyola Maryland (1-1-0).
Starting out the season 2-0-0 is just what Chastain had in mind.
"It was a good starting point for us," Chastain said. "We created a lot of scoring chances in both games, and that was a real positive. Getting that final finish is the last thing to come.
"We are seeing some good chemistry with the back line and are having some of our players step up in the attack. There are more and more players getting involved, and that is only going to make us better."
DePaul's potential was on display last Sunday when a stellar defensive effort resulted in a 2-1 upset of No. 13 Nebraska. After celebrating for a day, the Blue Demons went right back to work.
"We've already turned the page on that game and spent the whole week focusing on Towson," Chastain said. "We know they have some dangerous players, and last week Towson beat Xavier from the BIG EAST Conference.
"Our players know that no matter who we face, it's going to be a tight and tough game. That's the attitude we're taking into Friday's match."
Towson was the Atlantic 10 runner-up last season and finished second last weekend at the James Madison Invitational. Maddie Bove, Gabby Scirica and Nicole Nicholas were named to the all-tournament team.
So far this season, Scirica, Natalia Pinkney and Taylor Knier have each scored a goal while co-captain Katie Ponce and Emily Marshall each have an assist. Goalkeeper Erin Quinn has given up one goal in two games and made 10 saves.
"We played Towson a couple of years ago and it was a tight game," Chastain said about the 2012 season opener won by DePaul 2-1 at Wish Field. "Towson is going to be excited playing another BIG EAST team.
"That's the fun part about the early games of a new season. Everyone is excited about the sky-high goals and expectations of what this soccer season could become.
"We're excited about going on the road together and spending the weekend in Maryland. Traveling will help prepare us for away games in the BIG EAST."
The old cliché about offense garnering headlines and defense winning championships really holds true for the Blue Demons with a back line of Rachel Pitman, Nina Kodros, Sarah Gorden and Elizabeth Endy working together with the reigning BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year Alex Godinez.
"Our program has always put a big emphasis on defense and has placed a high priority on recruiting good backs for the team," Chastain said. "Defense is a really strong component of our team.
"This year we have three veteran defenders and Liz Endy. Watching her in the first two games, she certainly doesn't play like a freshman.
"We have an exceptional group of defenders, and defense will continue to be something we really value."
After last week's performance, Pitman was one of 13 players named to the CollegeSoccer360.com Primetime Performers National Honor Roll.
DePaul enters the weekend ranked No. 5 in the NSCAA/Continental Tire Northeast Region Poll. Central Fla. is No. 1 followed by Georgetown, Connecticut and St. John's. Towson is No. 7 in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
The Blue Demons will take on Loyola Maryland in a noon match on Sunday at the Ridley Athletic Complex. The Greyhounds opened the season with a 2-0 win over George Mason and a 3-2 loss to UMBC. Rosy Hayes and Jessica Van Dyke each have a pair of goals while Nicole Wahlig was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week.
