DePaul Outlasts Xavier, 1-0

Wednesday, October 24

Cincinnati, Ohio

6:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

Xavier

10/24/2018 8:11:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Istvan Wilhelms scores his fifth goal of the season

CHICAGO - DePaul claimed their first victory over Xavier since 2007 Wednesday night in a 1-0 match in Cincinnati. The Blue Demons improved to 5-7-3, 2-3-2 BIG EAST while the Musketeers fell to 4-7-5, 2-4-1 BIG EAST.

How it Happened
In an opportunistic second half that followed a scoreless first half, DePaul would relentlessly lay pressure on Xavier and not back down. It paid off by way of the lone goal and game-winner of the night from sophomore Istvan Wilhelms. Senior captain Harry Hilling sent in a long ball from the right side to Wilhelms who gained the advantage over the defender and headed the ball right over the Musketeer keeper's hands. Wilhelms notched his squad-leading fifth goal of the season while Hilling picked up his league-leading sixth assist.

The back line anchored by Max de Bruijne, Brayden Callipari, Jake Fuderer and Sasa Labovic limited the Musketeers to only three shots on frame. Sophomore Drew Nuelle tallied up three more saves on the night in goal.

Zach El-Shafei, who found himself on the BIG EAST Honor Roll this week, fired off three shots, two that went inches wide and the other on goal. Freshman Jake Fuderer launched a rocket from the top of the box that flew inches over the crossbar in attempts to add an insurance goal, but Wilhelms' game-winner stood for the remainder of the game.

Simon Hestnes, Tomek Pauer and Taylor Crull would notch the three SOG for Xavier. Goalkeeper Colin Hanley was forced to make just two saves against DePaul.

Key Numbers
7...DePaul was outshot 12-7 against the Musketeers, both teams putting up just three on goal.
2...Game-winners by Istvan Wilhelms this season,
3...Saves made by Drew Nuelle. Also the number of shutouts he's secured. His season total is now at 58.

Notes
...Blue Demons are 1-1-3 in October.
...DePaul has played a total of 11 overtime periods in the 2018 campaign.
...Harry Hilling's six assists are tied for the lead in the BIG EAST with Georgetown's Dylan Nealis.
...DePaul's all-time record against Xavier now sits at 2-14-1.

Quotes
Head coach Mark Plotkin

On the squad's performance...
"I thought tonight was a complete team performance. We were disciplined, stayed together and waited for our moments to attack. We stayed patient and executed our game plan, knowing we just needed one moment to score a goal. Harry and Ishy provided that. Ishy played his role extremely well tonight and was great on both sides of the ball. He has made two special plays the last two games and I'm happy for him to see those moments helping to lead to team success."

On what he and his coaching staff tell the team...
"We always preach to the team about learning from mistakes, embracing those moments and just using them as an opportunity to grow better individually and collectively. We are finally starting to see that improvement in the last couple games and you can see how focused and organized we are. The spirit has been fantastic. We will need an even greater effort and approach on Saturday against Creighton and I know we will be up for it."

The coaching staff's most important message to the squad...
"We keep telling them to stay confident and play in the moment. Their belief in themselves and each other is the most important thing, and we keep reminding them of that."

Up Next
DePaul will return home to host Creighton on Senior Day in a 1:00 p.m. tilt. Prior to the match, Harry Hilling, Michael Mojarro, Anton Sell and Bryan Simons will be recognized.

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