DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Milwaukee
DePaul Opens Soccer Season With 2-1 Loss at Milwaukee
8/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
MILWAUKEE - The first time the Blue Demons fell behind in their season opener Friday night, they responded in rapid fashion.
But the second time, they couldn't find the equalizer in a 2-1 loss to Horizon League favorite Milwaukee at Engelmann Stadium.
Milwaukee, who won the Horizon League title last season and advanced to the NCAA tournament. scored in the 18th minute on a shot by Petter Ingebrigtsen.
Back came DePaul in the 19th minute as Erik Rodriguez scored the team's first goal of the 2014 season on a header at the post off a 30-yard free kick by Simon Megally.
But in the 65th minute, Nick Moon scored on a one-time flick off a header on service and the Panthers held off DePaul down the stretch.
The Blue Demons were the aggressor in the first half with five shots on goal to three for Milwaukee. Coach Craig Blazer's side outshot the home team 6-5 and forced Panther goalkeeper Liam Anderson to make four saves.
DePaul kept firing away searching for the equalizer right to the final horn.
In the 87th minute, Kosta Brkovic's shot went high. Anthony Hunter launched a shot in the 89th minute that Anderson turned away.
Also in the 89th minute, Daniel Michallik lofted a corner kick that did not connect. For the night, the Blue Demons had eight shots on goal to Milwaukee's four.
"The group we had tonight played really well," said DePaul coach Craig Blazer. "We are disappointed with the result, but I am very pleased with our effort and the way we played.
"We had a great response to their goal, and we all felt we could find the equalizer right up to the final whistle. The guys played some really good soccer for the first 20 minutes of the second half.
"It was a great college soccer atmosphere at Engelmann Stadium with a crowd of nearly 2,200. The way this group executed our game plan tonight gave us coaches and the players a positive feeling that we are building a foundation for what we need to be successful."
DePaul will look to bring home a positive result on Monday when it travels to Green Bay for a 3 p.m. match.
NOTES: Total shots were close as Milwaukee came away with a 12-11 edge… DePaul was the more dangerous with eight shots on goal while the home team had four… Milwaukee keeper Anderson was forced to make seven saves while DePaul's Mack Robinson made two… Megally had a game-high five shots and a game-high four shots on goal… Hunter took two shots and both were on frame… Brkovic fired two shots with one on goal… Rodriguez's only shot of the night wound up in the net… Koray Yesilli, Jake Douglas, Brian Hindle, Rodriguez and Megally played the entire 90 minutes… Daniel Michallik was on the pitch for a career-high 80 minutes.
