DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Renews Rivalry With Loyola on Field Trip Day
9/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
DePaul vs. Loyola | Noon, Wednesday | Wish Field at Cacciatore Stadium
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CHICAGO - There will be close to 300 enthusiastic and vocal school children along with teachers and chaperones from the Scammon Elementary School lending their high-decibel support to the Blue Demons in their noon showdown with North Side rival Loyola Wednesday at Wish Field.
The DePaul Athletics initiative known as Field Trip Day is designed to provide Chicago Public Schools students with an opportunity to visit a college campus and be introduced to the idea of working towards a college education.
And of course, they'll be screaming at the top of their lungs for the home team.
"Everyone on our team is excited about all the young CPS students attending Wednesday's game," said DePaul coach Craig Blazer. "For many of them, it's their first trip to DePaul and their first opportunity to watch a college soccer game.
"With this experience, we are hoping to open up their minds to the possibility of one day attending a university and pursuing a college education. They bring an abundance of enthusiasm and energy to Wish Field, and it's always a lot of fun to play for them."
DePaul (4-4-1, 1-0-0 in the BIG EAST) is coming off a 3-1 conference-opening victory over Seton Hall last Saturday that saw the Blue Demons score three times in the first 30 minutes.
"Our plan is to stay consistent," said DePaul coach Craig Blazer. "We want to think about all the good things that happened against Seton Hall and continue to focus on consistency.
"We played well in the attacking third last Saturday. Our group did a good job of pressing. Whenever our team presses well, it attacks well."
Freshman Hans Wustling---the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week---comes into the Loyola match No. 22 in the nation and No. 3 in the BIG EAST in assists with four. He had three against Seton Hall. Simon Megally and Jalen Harvey are tied for fourth in the BIG EAST with four goals.
On the defensive end, goalkeeper Mack Robinson is No. 15 in the country and No. 1 in the BIG EAST in saves. He also tops the BIG EAST in saves per game.
Loyola enters Wish Field with a 4-3-0 mark, 1-0-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Ramblers have outscored teams 7-5, but opponents hold a 26-17 advantage in shots on goal.
Ryan Howe and Elliot Collier lead Loyola with two goals apiece. Goalkeeper Tim Dobrowolski is sporting a 0.71 goals-against average.
"As we head into week six of the season, we encounter a quick turnaround with Loyola on Wednesday and traveling to Villanova for a noon match on Saturday," Blazer said. "This is a time for our guys to stay focused.
"It was a good experience for our group in the Seton Hall game learning how to play with a big lead. We did a good job of converting our chances and then played well defensively. They kept the zero until the final seconds of the game.
"We got some quality looks in the area inside the 18, and the guys did really well putting shots away."
Villanova has started out the season 3-4-1 and is 0-1-0 in the BIG EAST. The Wildcats are even at 6-6 in scoring versus opponents and hold a 41-40 edge in shots on goal. Aaron Dennis leads the team with two goals and one assist. Goalkeeper Will Steiner has a 0.72 GAA.
