DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Men's Soccer Announces Challenging 2015 Schedule
6/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
2015 Schedule | Printable Schedule
CHICAGO -- Coach Craig Blazer and his soccer players remain undaunted facing a 2015 schedule that includes six NCAA tournament teams and two others that qualified for the BIG EAST Championship.
The BIG EAST was the only conference that advanced three teams (Providence, Georgetown and Creighton) to last year's NCAA quarterfinals with the Friars moving onto the Final Four. Xavier made it to the third round.
In addition, DePaul will be facing NCAA tournament qualifiers Northwestern and Fordham along with BIG EAST tournament qualifiers Villanova and Marquette.
"Every year, DePaul plays in one of the most competitive conferences in Division I soccer, and that helps attract talented student-athletes to our program," Blazer said. "When you come to DePaul, you know there is an opportunity to play against the best in the country. We feel we are prepared for the 2015 season."
What has made the BIG EAST such a force on the NCAA landscape?
"Historically the BIG EAST attracts some of the best local, regional and international talent and has excellent facilities, resources and staffing," Blazer said. "The conference is committed to men's soccer, and every program has talented people and outstanding resources.
"All BIG EAST teams are good enough to be in the NCAA tournament. A good example of this is Providence. That team finished fourth in the league, yet went on to win the BIG EAST Championship and advance to the NCAA tournament Final Four.
"We want to be a part of all of this. Playing in the BIG EAST raises our level of competitiveness as we strive to match up with the best."
The Blue Demons open up with three consecutive away matches beginning with the John Rennie Nike Invitational in Durham, N.C. where they will oppose Elon on Aug. 28 followed by the host team Duke on Aug. 30. On Sept. 4, they take on Bradley in Peoria.
Four of the next five are at the friendly confines of Wish Field with Fordham on Sept. 6, Nebraska-Omaha on Sept. 13, Illinois-Chicago on Sept. 17 and the BIG EAST opener against Xavier on Sept. 26. The lone road match in this stretch is Sept. 19 at Drake.
After back-to-back away games Sept. 29 at Loyola Chicago and Oct. 3 at Creighton, DePaul returns to Wish Field against Northwestern on Oct. 7 and Villanova on Oct. 10. Next up is an Oct. 14 road assignment versus Seton Hall followed by an Oct. 17 home game against Georgetown.
Following road games Oct. 24 at Providence and Oct. 28 at Butler, the Blue Demons close out the regular season at home against St. John's on Oct. 31 and Marquette on Nov. 5.
"We have broken it down into three phases---the nonconference portion, the BIG EAST season and the BIG EAST Championship," Blazer said. "Assistant coaches Craig Reynolds and Anthony Szymel, volunteer coach Gonzalo Segares and our players are focusing on doing well in nonconference matches and taking that momentum into the BIG EAST season so we can qualify for the BIG EAST tournament.
"It all begins with a blend of responsibility and opportunity. Our players are starting to understand the amount of work required to go down to Duke and come away with results. They are starting to understand the sacrifice it takes to have a positive BIG EAST season.
"I'm looking forward to seeing just how far we can go. It's going to be unbelievable watching this group reach its potential. We have a tremendous amount of belief in these guys."
