Wednesday, October 4
Chicago, Ill.
2:00 p.m.
DePaul University
2-6-2, 0-3-0
3
vs
1
No. 25 UIC
7-3-1, 2-1-0
1
2
F
UIC
1
0
1
DePaul
2
1
3
DePaul Upends No. 25 UIC 3-1 on Wednesday at Wish Field
10/4/2023 6:28:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER
Blue Demons claim ranked win for first time since 2018
CHICAGO – Behind a career day from Noeh Hernandez and a total team defensive effort, DePaul men's soccer returned to the win column in a big way, defeating 25th-ranked Illinois Chicago on Wednesday afternoon at Wish Field. Despite facing a 1-0 deficit early, the Blue Demons controlled the game from the start and scored three unanswered goals to earn the program's first ranked win since 2018.
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Hernandez proved to give the Flames back line trouble all afternoon, bagging a brace and finding the back of the net in the 14th minute and then again in the 64th. Junior Nathaniel Enriquez also added a tally, his first of the 2023 campaign, as the Blue Demons set a season-high for goals in a game. Senior forward Marek Gonda was critical to generating chances for the Blue Demons, notching two assists on the afternoon.
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Goalkeeper Gandhi Cruz quieted UIC's high-caliber offense, holding the Flames to one goal (or less) for just the third time this season.
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Hernandez proved to give the Flames back line trouble, bagging a brace and finding the back of the net in the 14th minute and then again in the 64th . Nathaniel Enriquez also added a tally, his first of the 2023 campaign, as the Blue Demons set a season-high for goals in a game. Senior forward Marek Gonda was critical to generating chances for the Blue Demons, notching two assists on the afternoon.
Goalkeeper Gandhi Cruz quieted UIC's high-caliber offense, holding the Flames to one goal (or less) for just the third time this season.
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How it Happened
The Blue Demons put the pressure on early, earning the first corner of the match in the third minute before UIC responded with a counterattack of their own, resulting in a goal in the sixth minute to take an early 1-0 lead.
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DePaul (2-6-2) didn't have to wait long to find the equalizer as Gonda slotted a pass inside out to a patient Hernandez at the top of the box who created and fired off the right boot to pull the Blue Demons even in the 14th minute.
One goal wasn't enough as the Blue Demons maintained possession and continued to press before Enriquez slipped a goal past the UIC keeper on a sharp angle from right to left putting DePaul in front 2-1 in the 27th minute.
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An inspired Flames attack out of halftime did not inflict any harm as DePaul continued to disrupt UIC and counterpress on broken plays despite the increased level of physicality and intensity.
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A DePaul free kick following a UIC yellow card in the 64th minute made for the perfect opportunity for the Blue Demons to widen their lead and they did just that. Hernandez sailed a beauty of a ball to the far post, curling it into the top left corner of the cage to give the Blue Demons a 3-1 advantage.
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Match Notes:
Up Next: DePaul will hit the road for its second ranked matchup in as many matchups, taking on No. 5 Akron on Saturday, Oct. 7. First touch is set for 11 a.m. CT with coverage on FloFC.
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Up Next: DePaul will hit the road for its second ranked matchup in as many matchups, taking on No. 5 Akron on Saturday, Oct. 7. First touch is set for 11 a.m. CT with coverage on FloFC.
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Hernandez proved to give the Flames back line trouble all afternoon, bagging a brace and finding the back of the net in the 14th minute and then again in the 64th. Junior Nathaniel Enriquez also added a tally, his first of the 2023 campaign, as the Blue Demons set a season-high for goals in a game. Senior forward Marek Gonda was critical to generating chances for the Blue Demons, notching two assists on the afternoon.
Â
Goalkeeper Gandhi Cruz quieted UIC's high-caliber offense, holding the Flames to one goal (or less) for just the third time this season.
Â
Hernandez proved to give the Flames back line trouble, bagging a brace and finding the back of the net in the 14th minute and then again in the 64th . Nathaniel Enriquez also added a tally, his first of the 2023 campaign, as the Blue Demons set a season-high for goals in a game. Senior forward Marek Gonda was critical to generating chances for the Blue Demons, notching two assists on the afternoon.
Goalkeeper Gandhi Cruz quieted UIC's high-caliber offense, holding the Flames to one goal (or less) for just the third time this season.
Â
How it Happened
The Blue Demons put the pressure on early, earning the first corner of the match in the third minute before UIC responded with a counterattack of their own, resulting in a goal in the sixth minute to take an early 1-0 lead.
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DePaul (2-6-2) didn't have to wait long to find the equalizer as Gonda slotted a pass inside out to a patient Hernandez at the top of the box who created and fired off the right boot to pull the Blue Demons even in the 14th minute.
ÂTalk about a RESPONSE, we're all even here at Wish Field. pic.twitter.com/Rg7JkKSCCN
— DePaul Men's Soccer (@DePaulMSOC) October 4, 2023
One goal wasn't enough as the Blue Demons maintained possession and continued to press before Enriquez slipped a goal past the UIC keeper on a sharp angle from right to left putting DePaul in front 2-1 in the 27th minute.
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UIC (7-3-1) threatened in the latter stages of the first half with seven shots in a 10 minute span, but the Blue Demons back line stood tall, taking a one-goal lead into intermission.A beauty on an angle.@genriqu11 with the second of his career, first of 2023.
— DePaul Men's Soccer (@DePaulMSOC) October 4, 2023
27' | DPU 2, UIC 1 pic.twitter.com/8PWk2YFM5E
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An inspired Flames attack out of halftime did not inflict any harm as DePaul continued to disrupt UIC and counterpress on broken plays despite the increased level of physicality and intensity.
Â
A DePaul free kick following a UIC yellow card in the 64th minute made for the perfect opportunity for the Blue Demons to widen their lead and they did just that. Hernandez sailed a beauty of a ball to the far post, curling it into the top left corner of the cage to give the Blue Demons a 3-1 advantage.
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The Flames, looking for answers, went on to record 12 shots in the final 25 minutes of action but to no avail as DePaul clamped down to secure the victory.* chef's kiss * pic.twitter.com/2kdu1z5hsa
— DePaul Men's Soccer (@DePaulMSOC) October 4, 2023
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Match Notes:
- DePaul earned a ranked win for the first time since a 1-0 victory over Western Michigan on Aug. 27, 2018.
- Wednesday marked the first win at Wish Field in the series against UIC since September of 2016.
- Coming into the matchup, UIC ranked 19th nationally in scoring offense (2.10 goals per game) and 21st in total goals (21) before the Blue Demons allowed just one.Â
- The Blue Demons posted a 1-1-1 mark against Chicagoland foes in 2023 with a loss to Loyola Chicago, a draw against now nationally ranked Northwestern and a victory over No. 25 UIC.
- Noeh Hernandez netted the first two goals of his collegiate career in his ninth appearance for DePaul, breaking through while maintaining the team-lead in shots this season with 20.
- Marek Gonda's two-assist outing pushed his career tally to seven.
- Gandhi Cruz made six saves on the day giving him 53 for the season and 201 in his career.
- Jack Brennan and Drew Clark each made their collegiate debuts on Wednesday.Â
Up Next: DePaul will hit the road for its second ranked matchup in as many matchups, taking on No. 5 Akron on Saturday, Oct. 7. First touch is set for 11 a.m. CT with coverage on FloFC.
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Up Next: DePaul will hit the road for its second ranked matchup in as many matchups, taking on No. 5 Akron on Saturday, Oct. 7. First touch is set for 11 a.m. CT with coverage on FloFC.
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Team Stats
UIC
DPU
Goals
1
3
Shots
28
12
Shots on Goal
7
6
Saves
3
6
Corners
8
4
Fouls
14
12
Scoring Plays
Joshua Torres (4)
Assisted By: Bart Muns , Sidney Warden
GOAL by UIC Torres, Joshua Assist by Muns, Bart and Warden, Sidney.
05:47
Noeh Hernandez (2)
Assisted By: Marek Gonda
GOAL by DPU Hernandez, Noeh Assist by Gonda, Marek.
13:19
Nathaniel Enriquez (1)
Assisted By: Marek Gonda
GOAL by DPU Enriquez, Nathaniel Assist by Gonda, Marek.
26:35
Noeh Hernandez (2)
GOAL by DPU Hernandez, Noeh.
63:42
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
5
SOG
3
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
2
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ MEN'S SOCCER
D
/ MEN'S SOCCER
GK
/ MEN'S SOCCERM
/ MEN'S SOCCERF
/ MEN'S SOCCERF
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