DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Illinois State
Wyatt Leads Blue Demons to Fifth Win in a Row
9/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
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CHICAGO - Elise Wyatt had her best game of this young season Wednesday at Wish Field and made sure No. 25 DePaul remained undefeated.
The junior captain's two goals sparked the Blue Demons to a 3-1 nonconference victory over Illinois State, and their 5-0-0 record ties the 2001 team for the fastest start in program history.
Alexa Ben scored her first goal of the season while Ana Greik notched her first points of 2014 with a pair of assists.
All this after Illinois State (3-2-0) had taken a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute on a Lauren Koehl goal.
"We had a really shaky start," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "It took us a little too long to get into the game. With about 20 minutes or so left in the first half, we started to settle down."
It was in the 28th minute that Ben fired in a shot for the first goal of her collegiate career. It came on a pass from Greik.
In the 37th minute, Wyatt scored her first goal after Ben's shot deflected off an Illinois State defender.
"When the ball came to me, I was just outside the top of the box," Wyatt said. "I could either cross or shoot. I shot it with my left foot and curved it into the net."
The insurance score came in the 65th minute off a nice feed from Greik.
"Ana picked it off from their goalkeeper," Wyatt said. "We both looked at each other. Ana told me to take it.
"She could have scored the goal for herself. That was really selfless of her, and I appreciate it."
The Redbirds came into Wish Field having scored 14 goals in their first four matches. Solid back-line work by Sarah Gorden, Nina Kodros, Elizabeth Endy and Rachel Pitman staved off an attack that put six shots on goal.
"Our defense did a good job and recognized the toughness they had to bring today," Chastain said. "Alex Godinez (six saves) did well in the net. Illinois State is a dangerous attacking team that I think will win their conference. They had some good scoring chances.
"Elise really stepped up and showed she is a big-time player for us. She and I had a talk yesterday, and she knows how important she is for our team."
DePaul will look to set a school record on Sunday when they travel to Milwaukee for a 3 p.m. match at Engelmann Stadium.
NOTES: Illinois State outshot DePaul 17-15... the Blue Demons had a 10-7 edge in shots on goal... ISU came away with a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks... Wyatt took a game-high six shots with a game-high five shots on goal... Wyatt has three goals on the season... Ben fired four shots with three on goal... Greik had two shots with one on frame... Rachel Pitman had one shot on goal... along with Godinez, Kodros, Wyatt, Pitman, Amber Paul, Gorden and Endy played the entire 90 minutes.
