DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Northern Illinois
DePaul Set for Season Opener Against Northern Illinois
2/16/2021 12:15:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER
DePaul opens the 2021 season against NIU on Wednesday in Rockford
CHICAGO – DePaul men's soccer begins the 2020-21 regular season on Wednesday with a matchup against the Northern Illinois Huskies. The Blue Demons officially begin the campaign after completing an exhibition match against Concordia-Chicago last Friday.
For the season-opener, the Blue Demons take on the Huskies in Rockford, Ill. at Mercyhealth Sportscore at 11 a.m. CT. The teams have matched up evenly in the all-time series as the overall record between the sides stands at 3-3-2. DePaul claimed the last matchup, 2-1, behind a pair of goals from David Gripman. Gripman's breakout performance at Wish Field in Lincoln Park came before an injury ended his season. The redshirt freshman returns to full health for the 2020-21 campaign.
DePaul head coach Mark Plotkin welcomes a crop of newcomers that includes 10 freshmen and incoming transfers Boris Del Valle and Michael Lantry. The talented group of freshmen should make a significant impact as the Blue Demons begin the season. Freshman Santiago Rodriguez netted four goals and added an assist in DePaul's exhibition against the Concordia-Chicago Cougars.
The Blue Demons return a number of contributors from the fall of 2019, the last time the squad hit the pitch. Goalkeeper Drew Nuelle started all of DePaul's games in 2019 and made 49 saves while collecting six shutouts. Nuelle earned three BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll recognitions and faced a total of 264 shots. Senior defender Timmy Iscra played the second-most minutes on the squad in 2019, totaling 1,594 minutes on the pitch. Iscra served as a team captain and started all 17 matches.
Northern Illinois has played a pair of regular season matches so far this season, dropping both to Loyola-Chicago and Marquette. The Huskies have yet to score a goal in regular-season play but cruised past Butler in an exhibition match back on Jan. 30, 3-1.
For all of the latest on DePaul Men's Soccer, stay tuned to depaulbluedemons.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
