DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Xavier
DePaul Heads to Cincinnati to Keep Postseason Hopes Alive
11/2/2021 12:43:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER
Blue Demons take on Xavier at 5 p.m. CT
CHICAGO - DePaul men's soccer is set to take on the Xavier Musketeers on Wednesday evening for a 5 p.m. CT kickoff at Corcoran Field in Cincinnati. With a victory in the season finale, the Blue Demons have an opportunity to make the BIG EAST Championship by finishing in the top six of the conference standings.Â
Currently, the Blue Demons (7-7-2, 3-4-2 BIG EAST) sit in eighth place in the conference with 11 points in the standings. However, the Blue Demons can move into the top six with a win and a loss by Creighton, Villanova or Butler. For the full rundown of scenarios, click here. Depending on results across the league, the Blue Demons could hop all the way to fourth with a win, which would grant DePaul a home match on Saturday in the BIG EAST quarterfinals.
The task at hand will not be simple, however. Xavier (9-7, 3-6 BIG EAST) is coming off of a 2-1 win over UConn on the road and will look to spoil the Blue Demons' postseason hopes. In the all-time matchup, DePaul has claimed wins in two of the last three matchups with Xavier. The Blue Demons won this spring in overtime on a Jacob Huth game-winning goal in the second overtime in Cincinnati. DePaul also claimed a win in 2018 by shutting out the Musketeers on their home turf. Despite the recent success, DePaul has only tallied three wins versus Xavier in 18 all-time matchups.
If the Blue Demons are able to clinch a spot in the conference tournament, it will be DePaul's first appearance since 2016. DePaul has already tallied the most conference wins (3) and overall victories (7) since going 9-7-3 and 4-5 in BIG EAST action back in 2016.
HIGH SCORING AT VILLANOVA
On the Blue Demons' last road trip, DePaul picked up its most-recent win. On Wednesday, Oct. 20, DePaul's Omar Ramadan scored his first career goal to give DePaul a 3-2 win in overtime over Villanova. Jake Fuderer had a great performance in the win, tallying two assists and netting a penalty kick opportunity. The score was the first of the season for Fuderer and he moved to a total of a team-high five assists this fall. Jack Richards scored his team-leading fifth goal in the win, opening the scoring within the first five minutes of the match.
CONSISTENT CRUZ
Gandhi Cruz has been a constant presence in net for the Blue Demons this fall. Cruz made seven saves in the Blue Demons' 1-0 loss at Marquette, stopping a key PK attempt in the first half. Cruz has made 69 saves this season, the most in the BIG EAST. His saves total ranks 15th in the nation.
XAVIER NOTES
- Xavier has scored 18 goals this season, with Karsen Henderlong pacing the squad with eight goals. The forward ranks tied for second in the BIG EAST in total goals and 35th in the NCAA.
- Defensively, Xavier has allowed 17 goals in 16 matches. Goalkeeper Matthew Rosenberg has posted a 1.06 goals against average this season with five shutouts. Rosenberg ranks sixth in the BIG EAST in goals against average.
- Xavier ranks sixth in the BIG EAST in fewest goals allowed (17) and goals against average (1.06). The Musketeers rank 55th in the NCAA in goals against average (1.06).
- Matthew Rosenberg ranks 61st in the NCAA in goals against average (1.06) and 37th in shutouts (5). Jerome Jolly also ranks 27th in the NCAA in game-winning goals (3).
For all of the latest on DePaul Men's Soccer, stay tuned to depaulbluedemons.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
