DePaul Falls Victim to Friars' Overtime Winner

Sunday, October 24

Chicago, Ill.

1:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

7-10-0, 4-5-0

Providence

9-5-3, 4-3-2

Providence

DePaul

DePaul Falls Victim to Friars' Overtime Winner

10/24/2021 4:04:00 PM | WOMEN'S SOCCER

Box Score

Providence notched game-winner in the 105th minute

CHICAGO - DePaul women's soccer suffered a 1-0 loss to Providence in double overtime on Sunday afternoon at Wish Field. The Blue Demons (7-10, 4-5 BIG EAST) and Friars (9-5-3, 4-3-2 BIG EAST) played 105 minutes in cold and rainy conditions, with Providence's Amber Birchwell notching the game winner in the second overtime period.

Both sides battled the frigid and wet conditions all afternoon, but neither side could find the finishing touches on the offensive attack. Providence put most of the action on the DePaul defense but the Blue Demon back line managed the pressure. DePaul's Mollie Eriksson made plenty of plays, coming off her line to disrupt Providence chances.

In the first half, Eriksson made a save on a close shot and DePaul's Megan Malecha used quick reflexes to deflect the ball away from a dangerous area. Providence totaled seven first-half shots to DePaul's one and the sides ended the first 45 minutes with no score at the break.

In the second half, the Friars kept up the offensive attack but DePaul was constantly able to disrupt the play in the final third. Eriksson made another key play when she came flying out of goal to clear a dangerous chance on a Providence breakaway.

In the 60th minute, Eriksson made her best save of the day on a Friars' free kick attempt. Eriksson dove to her left and made an outstretched save on a well-placed shot in the upper corner. The save kept the Blue Demons locked in the 0-0 match. Eriksson made a total of eight saves including four in the second half. The Blue Demons' keeper also made a handful of plays on Friar crosses and corners, either securing the ball or clearing the danger all afternoon.

After 90 minutes had passed with no scoring, the sides headed to sudden-death overtime. After no action in the first 10 minutes, the Friars were able to spark the offense in the second overtime. Birchwell got free after a slipped pass by Meg Hughes and the Friars were able to net the game-winner to claim the important three points in the BIG EAST standings.

With the defeat, DePaul stays at 12 points in conference action, good for a tie for the seventh spot in the conference. DePaul sits one point behind St. John's and UConn for the final spot in the conference championship with one match to play.

KEY STATS

Eriksson's eight saves were her most since totaling nine against Michigan back on Sept. 5. Eriksson has now tallied five or more saves in five matches this season.
Providence was able to outshoot the Blue Demons 19-4 in the win, and the Friars had nine attempts on target to DePaul's two.
Providence attempted eight corner kicks while the Blue Demons earned one.
DePaul's loss at Wish Field was only the second loss at home in conference play this season.

UP NEXT

Needing a positive result to move into the conference's top six, the Blue Demons head to Milwaukee on Thursday to take on the Marquette Golden Eagles. DePaul and Marquette are scheduled for a 7 p.m. start and the match will be broadcast on the BIG EAST Digital Network on FloSports presented by SoFi.

For all of the latest on DePaul Women's Soccer, stay tuned to depaulbluedemons.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.