DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Face Xavier in BIG EAST Playoff Opener
11/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
DePaul at Xavier | 3:05 PM Sunday | XU Soccer Complex
BIG EAST Digital Network | Livestats
DePaul Notes | Playoff Bracket
CHICAGO -- It has been quite a turnaround for the DePaul Blue Demons, going from a 1-10-0 start to a 4-2-1 finish and a BIG EAST playoff game at Xavier on Sunday that will be broadcast by the BIG EAST Digital Network.
Credit the resiliency and resolve of a men's soccer program that found a way to overcome a rough beginning that included eight losses by a single goal.
After that 10th loss, 2-1 to Northwestern on an own goal, the players called a meeting and came up with a way to save the season.
"Throughout those first 11 games, we were always close," said DePaul coach Craig Blazer. "Sometimes you need a little extra. We showed more resolve and started creating more decisive chances on offense.
"We moved a couple of pieces around and the young guys gained experience. The collaboration between the coaches and players played a fundamental role in our success.
"Our team was not getting wins in the beginning of the season but still playing pretty well. The guys never lost sight or belief in what we were doing. We challenged them to take ownership of the team and they began answering that challenge on Oct. 10."
The reversal of fortunes began that day with a 3-2 victory over Villanova at Wish Field on a Simon Megally penalty kick in the 85th minute.
As if to prove it wasn't a fluke, the Blue Demons went on the road four days later and earned a 3-2, double-overtime BIG EAST win at Seton Hall on freshman John Freitag's golden goal in the 101st minute.
Those back-to-back wins sparked the 4-2-1 BIG EAST finish.
"It feels great as we've talked about taking the next step with our players and coaching staff," Blazer said. "I'm very proud of this accomplishment for the program when we have put so much into it.
"We have tried to recruit and attract the best student-athletes who are talented soccer players, high academic achievers and can manage the opportunity to play in one of the best conferences in the country."
The next challenge for No. 5 seed DePaul (5-12-1, 4-4-1) is No. 4 seed Xavier (11-5-1, 5-3-1) which comes into the 3:05 p.m. match unbeaten in five of its last six---including a 2-1 upset of Creighton, ranked No. 1 in the nation at the time.
The Musketeers have outscored opponents 27-15, outpointed them 73-40 and hold a 93-65 advantage in shots on goal.
Alex Ridsdale leads the Musketeers with seven goals and one assist while Matt Vasquenza has five goals and one assist.
Xavier topped DePaul 1-0 in double-overtime on Sept. 26 at Wish Field.
Blue Demons fans are hoping the amazing turnaround will continue on Sunday in Cincinnati.
"This season, we have seen the emerging senior leadership of co-captain Mack Robinson and Jalen Harvey augmented by co-captains Simon Megally, Kevin Beyer and Brian Hindle and the play of Erik Rodriguez," Blazer said. "Caleb Pothast, Philipp Koenigstein and Hans Wustling have been so valuable to the team.
"We brought in six freshman and four of them---John Freitag, Jake Scheper, Anton Sell and Michael Mojarro---have been playing well all season.
"It has taken time to develop chemistry, and everything has culminated in qualifying for the BIG EAST tournament."
