DePaul University Athletics
Providence Kicks Off Challenging BIG EAST Finish
10/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Providence at DePaul | 3 PM Thursday | Wish Field
| BIG EAST Digital Network
DePaul at Georgetown | Noon Sunday | Shaw Field
| BIG EAST Digital Network
CHICAGO - The final three games of the BIG EAST season will be the most challenging for DePaul, beginning with a matchup against Providence at 3 p.m. Thursday at Wish Field.
That's followed by a showdown against No. 7/2 Georgetown at noon Sunday in Washington, D.C.
DePaul (8-5-2, 5-1-0) leads the BIG EAST by one point over Georgetown (12-1-2, 4-0-2) and two points ahead of Providence (10-4-2, 4-1-1). Both matches this week will have a huge impact on the conference standings.
Providence has won or tied seven of its last eight games with the loss coming to Marquette, which is fourth in the league. On the season, the Friars have outscored opponents 25-14 and outpointed them 69-37.
Providence will enter Wish Field led by a one-two scoring punch of Kathryn Hiller (seven goals) and Rachel Ugolik (six goals).
Georgetown will be looking to extend a 13-game unbeaten streak with the only loss coming to No. 3/4 Stanford. The Hoyas have outscored teams 39-9 and outpointed them 104-27. They have a 102-54 advantage in shots on goal and 116-56 in corner kicks.
The explosive attack is headed by Grace Damaska with 10 goals and 24 points. Rachel Corboz and Crystal Thomas each have eight goals and BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week has scored seven times. Goalkeeper Arielle Schechtman carries a 0.53 goals-against average with seven shutouts.
Notes
- DePaul is No. 15 in the country in scoring offense, No. 17 in goals and No. 20 in points per game. Abby Reed is No. 31 in the country in points.
- In the BIG EAST, the Blue Demons are No. 2 in goals, assists and points. Reed is first in shots, tied for second in points and third in goals. Franny Cerny is tied for first in game-winning goals.
- 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 6-6-0 in the all-time series with Providence and lost 1-0 last year at Wish Field in the BIG EAST playoff opener. The Blue Demons are 4-7-3 against Georgetown and tied the Hoyas 1-1 last season at Wish Field.
