DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Face Northwestern Wednesday on Field Trip Day
10/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
Northwestern at DePaul | Noon Wednesday | Wish Field
| Live Stream
Villanova at DePaul | 1 PM Saturday | Wish Field
BIG EAST Digital Network |
CHICAGO - Coming off its best defensive performance of the season, DePaul is looking to build some momentum heading into matches against Northwestern and Villanova this week.
The Blue Demons executed a solid game plan in last Saturday's 1-0 loss to No. 1/1 Creighton in Omaha, Neb., withstanding a 28-shot assault with only one ball finding the back of their net.
Creighton (10-0-0, 2-0-0 BIG EAST) had come into the match outscoring opponents 23-3.
"We didn't give up a goal in the second half against No. 1-ranked Creighton which is a significant accomplishment for our team," said DePaul coach Craig Blazer. "That's also when our offense started doing better connecting on passes.
"In the final minutes, we played with a sense of urgency and created a couple of scoring chances. We want to take that overall defensive effort and the way we attacked late and bring that into this week's games. We are looking for more of a complete game."
The Blue Demons' defensive play in the BIG EAST match that was shown on the BIG EAST Digital Network made an impression on the broadcast team of Josh Peterson and Peter Henning. They commented throughout the second half that DePaul was playing much better than its record.
"We continue to focus on the first 10 minutes of each half, and we want to be more consistent in that effort" Blazer said. "I liked the attitude the guys had before the Creighton game and how committed they were to winning the game."
Northwestern (4-4-1, 2-2-0 Big Ten) has come on strong lately as evidence by a 2-1 upset of No. 13 Maryland last Friday on the road.
After opening the season with a tie and two losses, Northwestern has gone 4-2-0 with wins over Ohio State, Central Florida, Illinois-Chicago and Maryland.
"Northwestern is a very organized program with the dangerous attacking threat of Joey Calistri (two goals, two assists)," Blazer said. "The Wildcats are always a well-coached defensive team.
"Going on the road and beating nationally ranked Maryland gives you an idea how good this team can be when things are clicking."
Adding to the buzz of Wednesday's rivalry game against the Wildcats will be the presence of 300 Chicago Public Schools students in the Wish Field stands cheering on the home team.
"Having the kids from CPS attend the game provides so much excitement to the atmosphere of the game," Blazer said. "For many of them, this will be their first time watching a soccer game in person.
"The enthusiasm they bring is really welcome, and our guys respond and seem to give a little bit more out there."
On Saturday, DePaul (1-9-0, 0-2-0) will face BIG EAST adversary Villanova at Wish Field in a 1 p.m. match that will be broadcast by the BIG EAST Digital Network.
Villanova (6-4-0, 1-1-0) features BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week Sean Sheridan who led the conference in points last week with six points, scoring both game-winning goals in a 2-0-0 week.
Sheridan had a hand in all four goals scored by the Wildcats last week with two goals and two assists. The Wildcats had won three of their last four matches before falling 2-0 Monday night on the road to No. 13 Maryland.
Playing the second game in three days and third in six days, Villanova was outshot 27-7 as Maryland had a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal.
On the season, Villanova has outscored its opponents 17-16 and holds a 71-60 edge in shots on goal. Padraic McCullaugh leads the team with four goals and three assists while Sheridan has four goals and two assists. Sheridan tops the Wildcats with 26 shots on goal and McCullaugh has 21.