Sunday, October 27
Chicago, Ill.
1:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
5-7-5, 3-3-3
2
vs
0
St. John's
5-7-5, 0-6-3
1
2
F
St. John's (NY)
0
0
0
DePaul
1
1
2
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Photo by: DePaul Athletics
Blue Demons Weather the Storm, Earn Sunday Afternoon Shutout
10/27/2024 5:45:00 PM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
DePaul defeats St. John’s 2-0 in home finale
CHICAGO – On Sunday afternoon in Lincoln Park, DePaul women's soccer celebrated Senior Day by earning its sixth shutout of the season, defeating St. John's 2-0. The Blue Demons' goal-scoring duo, Lea Eisenring and Beth Smyth, led the charge offensively, combining for seven of DePaul's ten shots and propelling the team to sixth place in the BIG EAST Conference standings.
"It was a really special day to get the 2-0 win and shutout at home on Senior Day," said head coach Michele O'Brien. "Coming off a two-game road skid, this result reaffirms what we're capable of when we're at our best. Now, the challenge ahead is to bring that same intensity, belief, and energy to our road games. I'm excited about the opportunity Thursday night at Providence, where we'll be in control and in contention for a playoff spot. I'm proud of the team for putting ourselves in this position and look forward to preparing the group for a tough road match."
DePaul (5-7-5, 3-3-3 BIG EAST) bounced back to an even record in conference play, snapping its streak of back-to-back BIG EAST losses. The Blue Demons came out strong, controlling a slight possession edge in the first half and firing six shots compared to the Red Storm's two.
St. John's (5-7-5, 0-6-3 BIG EAST) picked up momentum in the second half, outshooting DePaul 9-4. But a decisive 82nd-minute goal from Smyth kept the Red Storm from making landfall, sending the crowd home with sunshine and clear skies over Chicago.
How it Happened
DePaul was awarded its first free kick in the 3rd minute, deep into St. John's territory. Eisenring sent a cross into the box, but goalkeeper Megan Sical punched it away.
The Blue Demons created an early chance in the 14th minute when Eisenring sent a powerful shot toward Sical, who saved it at the bottom left side of the goal.
In the 17th minute, Soderstrom made her first attempt of the afternoon, narrowly missing the mark as her shot from the left side sailed just wide to the right.
Graduate student Elena Milam showed her vertical reach in the 24th minute, deflecting St. John's first shot attempt over the crossbar, setting up the first corner kick for either team.
Nahla Dominguez, Shayna da Silva, and Smyth took three shots within a three-minute stretch, but St. John's defense held strong.
Finally, in the 38th minute, DePaul broke through when da Silva delivered a set piece to Eisenring deep in the box, marking Eisenring's third goal in the last four games and capping off a dominant first half.
St. John's opened the second half with two quick shots from Jordyn Levy and Jailene DeJesus, but the Blue Demon backline swiftly shut down the Red Storm's momentum.
Eisenring and Smyth kept the pressure on, each attempting shots in the 61st and 64th minutes, halting any chance of a Red Storm comeback.
St. John's saw three shot attempts blocked in a rapid sequence, giving DePaul the opportunity to strike again.
In the 82nd minute, Freya Jupp advanced a pass to Smyth in transition, who drilled a shot to the far side of the net, sealing DePaul's 2-0 victory.
Match Notes
UP NEXT
DePaul will travel to Rhode Island on Thursday, Oct. 31, to face Providence. The match kicks off at 5 p.m. CT with coverage available on FloFC.
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.
"It was a really special day to get the 2-0 win and shutout at home on Senior Day," said head coach Michele O'Brien. "Coming off a two-game road skid, this result reaffirms what we're capable of when we're at our best. Now, the challenge ahead is to bring that same intensity, belief, and energy to our road games. I'm excited about the opportunity Thursday night at Providence, where we'll be in control and in contention for a playoff spot. I'm proud of the team for putting ourselves in this position and look forward to preparing the group for a tough road match."
DePaul (5-7-5, 3-3-3 BIG EAST) bounced back to an even record in conference play, snapping its streak of back-to-back BIG EAST losses. The Blue Demons came out strong, controlling a slight possession edge in the first half and firing six shots compared to the Red Storm's two.
St. John's (5-7-5, 0-6-3 BIG EAST) picked up momentum in the second half, outshooting DePaul 9-4. But a decisive 82nd-minute goal from Smyth kept the Red Storm from making landfall, sending the crowd home with sunshine and clear skies over Chicago.
How it Happened
DePaul was awarded its first free kick in the 3rd minute, deep into St. John's territory. Eisenring sent a cross into the box, but goalkeeper Megan Sical punched it away.
The Blue Demons created an early chance in the 14th minute when Eisenring sent a powerful shot toward Sical, who saved it at the bottom left side of the goal.
In the 17th minute, Soderstrom made her first attempt of the afternoon, narrowly missing the mark as her shot from the left side sailed just wide to the right.
Graduate student Elena Milam showed her vertical reach in the 24th minute, deflecting St. John's first shot attempt over the crossbar, setting up the first corner kick for either team.
Nahla Dominguez, Shayna da Silva, and Smyth took three shots within a three-minute stretch, but St. John's defense held strong.
Finally, in the 38th minute, DePaul broke through when da Silva delivered a set piece to Eisenring deep in the box, marking Eisenring's third goal in the last four games and capping off a dominant first half.
St. John's opened the second half with two quick shots from Jordyn Levy and Jailene DeJesus, but the Blue Demon backline swiftly shut down the Red Storm's momentum.
Eisenring and Smyth kept the pressure on, each attempting shots in the 61st and 64th minutes, halting any chance of a Red Storm comeback.
St. John's saw three shot attempts blocked in a rapid sequence, giving DePaul the opportunity to strike again.
In the 82nd minute, Freya Jupp advanced a pass to Smyth in transition, who drilled a shot to the far side of the net, sealing DePaul's 2-0 victory.
Match Notes
- Beth Smyth and Lea Eisenring each netted their third goal of the season.
- Freya Jupp recorded her team-high third assist of the year.
- Shayna da Silva registered her second career assist.
- Elena Milam earned her sixth shutout of the season, marking the tenth of her career.
- Milam secured four saves, bringing her season total to 67, ranking her 2nd in the BIG EAST.
- Milam now ranks sixth all-time at DePaul with 178 career saves.
- Jordan Levy, Jailene DeJesus, Alyssa O'Brien combined for nine of 11 shots by St. John's.
- DePaul moves into sixth place in the BIG EAST standings and can clinch a playoff berth with a win in their final match.
- St. John's has one last opportunity to secure its first conference win on Thursday against Creighton.
UP NEXT
DePaul will travel to Rhode Island on Thursday, Oct. 31, to face Providence. The match kicks off at 5 p.m. CT with coverage available on FloFC.
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.
Team Stats
STJ
DPU
Goals
0
2
Shots
11
10
Shots on Goal
4
4
Saves
2
4
Corners
4
2
Fouls
13
10
Scoring Plays
Lea Eisenring (3)
Assisted By: Shayna da Silva
GOAL by DPU Eisenring, Lea Assist by da Silva, Shayna.
38:17
Beth Smyth (3)
Assisted By: Freya Jupp
GOAL by DPU Smyth, Beth Assist by Jupp, Freya.
82:04
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
fwd
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
M
/ WOMEN'S SOCCER
M
/ WOMEN'S SOCCERM
/ WOMEN'S SOCCERF
/ WOMEN'S SOCCER
GK
/ WOMEN'S SOCCERM
/ WOMEN'S SOCCER
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