Thursday, October 24
Storrs, Conn.
6:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
4-7-5, 2-3-3
1
at
3
Connecticut
9-4-4, 3-3-3
1
2
F
DePaul
0
1
1
UConn
2
1
3
Early Strikes Propel Huskies Past Blue Demons
10/24/2024 8:30:00 PM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
DePaul falls to UConn 3-1 Thursday night
STORRS, Conn. – After conceding two early goals, DePaul women's soccer continued to press but fell short against UConn's top-ranked BIG EAST offense Thursday night at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. With two regular-season matches remaining, the Blue Demons fall to seventh place, just one spot away from postseason qualification.
"It becomes tough when you don't give yourself a chance by allowing two early goals, especially on the road," said head coach Michele O'Brien. "We were better in the second half and got on the board with a great goal by Freya late in the match. That gave us some momentum, but it just wasn't quite enough. We'll be ready for a good St. John's team this Sunday on senior day."
DePaul (4-7-5, 2-3-3 BIG EAST) dropped its second consecutive 3-1 decision after a previous five-game unbeaten streak in conference play. The Blue Demons' lone goal came from junior Freya Jupp in the 73rd minute, cutting the Huskies' lead to 2-1.
With Thursday evening's win, UConn (9-4-4, 3-3-3 BIG EAST) moves into a tie for third in the BIG EAST with Creighton. As the only team in the conference to conclude its season on Sunday, the Huskies have one final opportunity to add points before the rest of the league wraps up next week.
How it Happened
The Huskies made an early statement, scoring in the third minute. Anaya Johnson sent a cross into the box, where it deflected several times before landing with Maddie Fried, who struck a left-footer into the bottom-right corner to put UConn on the board.
In the 12th minute, Johnson set up the Huskies' offense again, sending a lead pass to the right side of the box for Abbey Jones. Jones split the Blue Demons' backline and delivered a precise shot to the far post, extending UConn's lead to 2-0.
DePaul's first shot came in the 14th minute following a fastbreak opportunity initiated by a steal in the middle third. Grace Menser found space but sent her shot wide right.
The Huskies created another scoring chance in the 28th minute. A through ball ricocheted to Naia Ocio in the box, but Elena Milam was prepared, making her first save of the match.
After a ten-minute lull, UConn's Taylor attempted a shot in the 38th minute that sailed off target from inside the box.
In the final seconds of the first half, DePaul freshman Katelyn Jamie attempted a shot in the attacking third, but it was blocked, closing the period at 2-0 in favor of the Huskies.
At the start of the second half, neither team gained offensive momentum. UConn took three shots in the first seventeen minutes, though none were on target.
Seeking a fresh energy, the Blue Demons brought in five substitutes in the 62nd minute, with four being freshmen or sophomores.
In the 69th minute, the Huskies' two shot attempts came up short, with Milam recording her fourth save.
A group of juniors and seniors re-entered for DePaul, and one minute later, junior Freya Jupp netted her team-high fifth goal of the season off a feed from Briley Hill, closing the gap to 2-1 and giving the Blue Demons new life in the 73rd minute.
Shortly after, UConn responded with a final goal to seal the 3-1 result. Abbey Merchant scored her first goal of the season in the 79th minute, assisted by Kelly Monaco.
In the final moments, Lea Eisenring found herself deep in the box but couldn't capitalize, as the Huskies secured their eighth win of the season and third in conference play.
Match Notes
UP NEXT
DePaul returns to Wish Field for the final time this season on Sunday, October 27, hosting St. John's. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. CT, with a senior recognition ceremony scheduled for 12:35 p.m. CT.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Soccer, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Facebook, Instagram, X.
TICKET INFORMATION
Join DePaul Women's Soccer at Wish Field this fall! Blue Demon Soccer Supporter Memberships are on sale now, which include access to all regular season men's and women's home matches at Wish Field! Single-game tickets can be purchased at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets.
"It becomes tough when you don't give yourself a chance by allowing two early goals, especially on the road," said head coach Michele O'Brien. "We were better in the second half and got on the board with a great goal by Freya late in the match. That gave us some momentum, but it just wasn't quite enough. We'll be ready for a good St. John's team this Sunday on senior day."
DePaul (4-7-5, 2-3-3 BIG EAST) dropped its second consecutive 3-1 decision after a previous five-game unbeaten streak in conference play. The Blue Demons' lone goal came from junior Freya Jupp in the 73rd minute, cutting the Huskies' lead to 2-1.
With Thursday evening's win, UConn (9-4-4, 3-3-3 BIG EAST) moves into a tie for third in the BIG EAST with Creighton. As the only team in the conference to conclude its season on Sunday, the Huskies have one final opportunity to add points before the rest of the league wraps up next week.
How it Happened
The Huskies made an early statement, scoring in the third minute. Anaya Johnson sent a cross into the box, where it deflected several times before landing with Maddie Fried, who struck a left-footer into the bottom-right corner to put UConn on the board.
In the 12th minute, Johnson set up the Huskies' offense again, sending a lead pass to the right side of the box for Abbey Jones. Jones split the Blue Demons' backline and delivered a precise shot to the far post, extending UConn's lead to 2-0.
DePaul's first shot came in the 14th minute following a fastbreak opportunity initiated by a steal in the middle third. Grace Menser found space but sent her shot wide right.
The Huskies created another scoring chance in the 28th minute. A through ball ricocheted to Naia Ocio in the box, but Elena Milam was prepared, making her first save of the match.
After a ten-minute lull, UConn's Taylor attempted a shot in the 38th minute that sailed off target from inside the box.
In the final seconds of the first half, DePaul freshman Katelyn Jamie attempted a shot in the attacking third, but it was blocked, closing the period at 2-0 in favor of the Huskies.
At the start of the second half, neither team gained offensive momentum. UConn took three shots in the first seventeen minutes, though none were on target.
Seeking a fresh energy, the Blue Demons brought in five substitutes in the 62nd minute, with four being freshmen or sophomores.
In the 69th minute, the Huskies' two shot attempts came up short, with Milam recording her fourth save.
A group of juniors and seniors re-entered for DePaul, and one minute later, junior Freya Jupp netted her team-high fifth goal of the season off a feed from Briley Hill, closing the gap to 2-1 and giving the Blue Demons new life in the 73rd minute.
Shortly after, UConn responded with a final goal to seal the 3-1 result. Abbey Merchant scored her first goal of the season in the 79th minute, assisted by Kelly Monaco.
In the final moments, Lea Eisenring found herself deep in the box but couldn't capitalize, as the Huskies secured their eighth win of the season and third in conference play.
Match Notes
- DePaul suffered its second-straight loss, the first time since Aug. 31/Sept. 1.
- Freya Jupp recorded her team-high fifth goal and twelfth point of the season.
- Of Jupp's 14 shot attempts, 10 have been on target, giving her a 71.4% accuracy rate.
- Briley Hill earned her second assist of the year.
- Elena Mialm secured 13 saves in her last two matches, the most in any two-game stretch this season.
- UConn's Maddie Fried and Abbey Jones each netted their fourth goal of the season.
- The Huskies held a 5-1 corner kick advantage.
- Eight different Huskies attempted shots, with six registering shots on goal.
UP NEXT
DePaul returns to Wish Field for the final time this season on Sunday, October 27, hosting St. John's. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. CT, with a senior recognition ceremony scheduled for 12:35 p.m. CT.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Soccer, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Facebook, Instagram, X.
TICKET INFORMATION
Join DePaul Women's Soccer at Wish Field this fall! Blue Demon Soccer Supporter Memberships are on sale now, which include access to all regular season men's and women's home matches at Wish Field! Single-game tickets can be purchased at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets.
Team Stats
DePaul
UConn
Goals
1
3
Shots
4
14
Shots on Goal
2
8
Saves
5
1
Corners
1
5
Fouls
8
7
Scoring Plays
Maddie Fried (4)
Assisted By: Chioma Okafor
GOAL by UConn Fried, Maddie Assist by Okafor, Chioma.
03:10
Abbey Jones (4)
Assisted By: Anaya Johnson
GOAL by UConn Jones, Abbey Assist by Johnson, Anaya.
12:20
Freya Jupp (5)
Assisted By: Briley Hill
GOAL by DePaul Jupp, Freya Assist by Hill, Briley.
73:36
Abbey Merchant (1)
Assisted By: Kelly Monaco
GOAL by UConn Merchant, Abbey Assist by Monaco, Kelly.
79:32
Game Leaders
Players
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ WOMEN'S SOCCERF
/ WOMEN'S SOCCER
F
/ WOMEN'S SOCCERF
/ WOMEN'S SOCCERM
/ WOMEN'S SOCCER
GK
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