DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Begins BIG EAST Quest Saturday Against Xavier
9/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
Xavier at DePaul | 1 PM Saturday | Wish Field
BIG EAST Digital Network |
DePaul Notes
CHICAGO - Everything gets reset to zero as DePaul and nine other men's soccer teams kick off the BIG EAST Conference season this weekend with the focus on qualifying for the BIG EAST Championship.
The Blue Demons open up against a talented Xavier side that has gone 6-2-0 in the nonconference season and upset then-No. 2 Notre Dame 1-0 in one of the program's biggest wins.
The 1 p.m. match at Wish Field will be broadcast by the BIG EAST Digital Network, the first of six appearances for DePaul.
"The BIG EAST Digital Network broadcast will show once again how the BIG EAST is one of the premier men's soccer conferences in the country," said DePaul coach Craig Blazer.
"Playing on the big stage of the BIG EAST Digital Network is what our players want and what they train for during the week. It's why recruits come here---to gain national exposure playing the best in college soccer.
"Now to succeed on that big stage, we need a high level of focus and accountability."
Blazer said Xavier is an NCAA tournament caliber team. The Musketeers are receiving votes in the NSCAA Top 25 and have had a lot of success this season.
Xavier has won four in a row led by leading scorer Alex Ridsdale with five goals and one assist. Matt Vasquenza has three goals and one assist.
Jalen Brown is the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the winning goal against Notre Dame. Chris Moore is the league's Defensive Player of the Week and Dallas Jaye the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week.
The Musketeers are outscoring opponents 18-6 and come to Wish Field with a 48-14 advantage in points. They have a 12-2 edge in assists and 49-21 in shots on goal.
"Offensively, Xavier is very good with ball possession and has a very balanced attack in possession and also getting behind you for scoring opportunities," Blazer said. "Their defense hasn't given up many goals this year.
"The first game of the conference season is significant as everyone starts out in the same position. We want a lot of focus to get off to a good start.
"Our team is developing and we're getting guys back from injuries. Other guys were getting playing time filling in for our injured starters, enabling the whole team to get better with each game."
Erik Rodriguez leads DePaul (1-6-0) with three goals and one assist. Simon Megally has three goals and John Freitag two goals. Hans Wustling has a team-high three assists. The Blue Demons have put 28 shots on goal compared to 30 for their opponents. Megally leads the team with 19 shots and eight on goal.
