DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Providence
Double OT Tie Keeps DePaul in BIG EAST Playoff Hunt
10/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Talk about being in the right place at the right time, that's how DePaul goalkeeper Mack Robinson spent his Saturday night at the Treacy Complex.
Robinson's season-high 11 saves enabled the Blue Demons to keep the zero in a double-overtime, scoreless tie against BIG EAST Conference adversary Providence.
Picking up a point in the standings keeps DePaul (3-11-1, 2-3-1) in the hunt for a playoff berth in the BIG EAST Championship with just three games to go.
Coach Craig Blazer's side and Providence each have seven points and are tied for fifth place. The top six teams advance to the conference postseason.
Playing their best soccer of the season, the Blue Demons now have two wins and one tie in their last four games. The only loss was 1-0 to No. 9/9 Georgetown.
Robinson and a back line featuring Caleb Pothast, John Freitag, Jalen Harvey and Anton Sell remained resolute in the face of a Providence attack that launched 24 shots with 11 on goal. The Friars are 6-5-2, 2-3-1.
Freitag & Co. did a nice job of tracking 6-foot, 4-inch Friars star Mac Steeves, the second-leading goal scorer in the BIG EAST with 10. Steeves got off 12 shots with five on target. Robinson spoiled several of Steeves' header attempts.
"Coming home with a tie on the road in the BIG EAST against a quality opponent like Providence is encouraging," said DePaul coach Craig Blazer. "We defended well overall and had a good possession rate
"Mack was excellent, and you could see his continuing development. Jalen and Caleb were extremely effective, and our freshman center backs of John Freitag and Anton Sell did a good job of managing the BIG EAST's second-leading scorer."
Robinson came up with three clutch saves in the final two minutes of regulation time.
"Our two seniors (Robinson and Harvey) were quite good tonight," Blazer said.
Blazer was pleased with his offense keeping the ball on the ground and creating some scoring opportunities---especially in the first half. Maybe DePaul's best shot at a goal came in the 73rd minute when Simon Megally curled a free kick just wide of the upper 90.
"We applaud all the guys' efforts tonight," Blazer said. "It was an outstanding team-wide performance, and our guys remain focused and committed to earning a spot in the BIG EAST tournament."
The Blue Demons are back in action Wednesday with a 6 p.m. BIG EAST match at fourth-place Butler (4-2-0 in the BIG EAST).
NOTES: Creighton and Georgetown head the BIG EAST with 18 points... Xavier is third with 13 and Butler fourth with 12 points... DePaul and Providence are tied for fifth with seven points and Villanova is one point back in seventh... DePaul was outshot by Providence 24-12... the Friars had an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal... Providence also had an 11-3 edge in corner kicks... all three of Brian Hindle's shots were on goal... Megally and Erik Rodriguez each fired off three shots while Harvey, Sell and Jake Scheper each had one attempt... Pothast, Freitag, Kevin Beyer and Megally played the entire 110 minutes.
