DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Bradley
DePaul Looks for Third-Straight Win
9/9/2021 2:43:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER
Braves and Blue Demons kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday
CHICAGO - DePaul men's soccer travels to Peoria, Ill. on Friday to take on the Bradley Braves at 7 p.m. The Blue Demons are looking for their third consecutive win after defeating St. Thomas and Wisconsin last week. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The Braves have held control of the all-time series, holding a 7-1-2 edge in meetings between the sides. DePaul will be searching for its first win since 1990.
DePaul's defense has been the story recently, allowing only one goal between the Blue Demons' two wins last week. Goalkeeper Gandhi Cruz posted a six-save shutout in the 1-0 win over Wisconsin on Sunday on his way to earning BIG EAST honor roll recognition. Meanwhile, the back line led by Matty Brickman and co., has stifled opposing offenses. The Blue Demons were able to lock down a handful of attacking chances in Madison on Sunday as the Badgers attempted to tie the match late.
Jack Richards and Marek Gonda have led the offensive efforts for DePaul in the early going. Richards scored in the season opener versus Loyola and notched the game-winning goal in DePaul's victory versus Wisconsin. Richards has scored in four of his last five games dating back to last season. Gonda tallied a pair of goals in DePaul's win over St. Thomas and the sophomore also added an assist. Santi Rodriguez tallied the Blue Demon's other goal in the win, his first of his collegiate career.
After Friday's match, DePaul will return to Lincoln Park to host UIC on Wednesday, Sept. 15. The Blue Demons begin BIG EAST play on Saturday, Sept. 25 versus Connecticut.
BRADLEY BITS
- Bradley head coach Jim DeRose is in his 26th year as head coach of the Braves.
- Bradley has shutout DePaul in each of the teams' last four meetings.
- Bradley claimed a season-opening win over Omaha before falling to Wright State and Oral Roberts.
- Danny Collins and Jake Schoffstall have done the goal scoring for the Braves this season, both tallying one goal this fall.
- Bradley's first-ever NCAA Division I opponent was DePaul in 1988. The Braves claimed the match, 1-0.
For all of the latest on DePaul Men's Soccer, stay tuned to depaulbluedemons.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
