DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Closing in on BIG EAST Playoff Berth
10/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
DePaul at St. John's| Noon Saturday | Belson Stadium
| BIG EAST Digital Network
CHICAGO - Riding a seven-game winning streak, the Blue Demons can clinch a BIG EAST postseason berth with a win or a tie on Saturday at St. John's.
DePaul (8-4-2, 5-0-0) are one standings point away from earning a berth in the BIG EAST Championship's six-team field. The Blue Demons currently have a league-best 15 points, with a win bumping them up to 18 with three games remaining.
Five teams (St. John's, Butler, Seton Hall, Villanova, Xavier) would be unable to catch DePaul should it get to 18 points, meaning the Blue Demons could finish no lower than fifth. A draw Saturday adds up to 16 points which would eliminate all the above minus Butler, and DePaul could finish no lower than sixth.
During the program-record winning streak, coach Erin Chastain's side has outscored opponents 24-5 including a 17-3 margin over five BIG EAST teams. A win or a tie would launch DePaul onto its fifth consecutive conference tournament appearance.
St. John's (6-3-5, 1-2-2) is currently in sixth place, one point ahead of Butler and two points better than Seton Hall and Villanova.
The Red Storm has scored just one goal in five conference matches and been outpointed 13-2. Overall, Shea Connors, Samie Scaffidi, Christina Bellero and Ann Baldursdottir have each scored two goals.
St. John's strength is a stingy defense that has only allowed eight goals in 14 games. Goalkeeper Diana Poulin sports a 0.47 goals-against average and has recorded nine shutouts.
Notes
- After the recent scoring surge, DePaul is No. 7 in the country in goals, No. 9 in scoring offense and No. 11 in points.
- Abby Reed is No. 14 in the country in points and No. 28 in goals.
- In the BIG EAST, the Blue Demons are No. 1 in assists and points and No. 2 in goals. Reed is first in shots, tied for second in points and assists and third in goals. Franny Cerny is first in game-winning goals.
- Lucy Edwards is the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week after DePaul recorded back-to-back shutouts.
- Alexa Ben has 21 career assists, leaving the junior midfielder five shy of all-time leader Julianne Sitch (2002-05). Reed's nine goals is three away from equaling the season record she shares with Sitch.
- Reed is third all-time at DePaul in career points with 63 and Ben is right behind her at 57.
- DePaul is tied in the all-time series with St. John's 2-2-1 and came away with a 1-1 draw last year at Wish Field.
