Late Offensive Flurry Propels DePaul Over Oakland 3-1

Tuesday, October 8

Chicago, Ill.

2:00 P.M.

DePaul University

5-4-2, 1-1-1

Oakland

3-6-2, 1-1-2

Oakland

DePaul

Late Offensive Flurry Propels DePaul Over Oakland 3-1

10/8/2024 5:45:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER

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CHICAGO – DePaul men's soccer netted three goals in the last 11 minutes of play to defeat Oakland 3-1 on Tuesday afternoon at Wish Field in the non-conference finale. The Blue Demons extended their unbeaten streak to four matches with the win and improved to 5-4-2 in 2024.

DePaul remained patient in what appeared to be a defensive stalemate and seized the opportunities when they arose late in the game.

Keagan Pace put away his third goal of the season to open the scoring line for DePaul in the 79th minute which opened the flood gates for Noeh Hernandez to register his team-best fifth tally of 2024 just five minutes later.

After being subbed on in the closing moments of the match, Sam Moore made an immediate impact and capped the scoring in the 88th minute with his first of the season.

Freshman Max Padua put together a strong performance in the midfield with a pair of assists, the first of his collegiate career.

Goalkeeper Santiago Davila made a pair of saves in the outing.

How it Happened
The Blue Demons earned a pair of corners within the first five minutes of the match and followed with a free kick just outside the box in the 12th minute but could not convert on early chances.

Hernandez was the catalyst for the early pressure, with three shots of his own in the first 20 minutes of action.

After being subbed on in the 24th minute, Daniel Hickiewicz found himself in position for a shot on target on the left side of the box but it was squandered by the Grizzlies keeper.

Three of Oakland's five corners in the first half came in the final 15 minutes, but Davila and the Blue Demons back line remained steadfast in their defense.

The teams were deadlocked at 0-0 headed into halftime. DePaul held an 8-5 advantage in shot attempts after the first 45 minutes.

Finnegan took hold of a pair of chances in the early going of the second half but they ran off target which kept the game tied at zero.

The Golden Grizzlies picked up the urgency on their press, but DePaul's counterattack was too quick to respond as Jayden Waski sent a ball ahead for Hernandez who delivered a beautiful pass through the flank for Pace who took a touch and hit it far post to open the scoring in the 79th minute.

79' » DEPAUL GOAL!

Keagan Pace delivers on a beautiful ball down the right flank from Noeh Hernandez!

79' » DEPAUL GOAL!

Keagan Pace delivers on a beautiful ball down the right flank from Noeh Hernandez!

DePaul 1, Oakland 0 pic.twitter.com/08IqSUeQtJ
— DePaul Men's Soccer (@DePaulMSOC) October 8, 2024
Moments later, the Blue Demons doubled their lead in the 84th minute as Padua dispossessed Oakland in the midfield and flicked it on for Hernandez who created for himself on the edge of the box and fired with his left boot past the Grizzlies goalkeeper.

84' » WHAT CAN'T HE DO!

Noeh Hernandez with his fifth goal of the season to widen the Blue Demons advantage.

DePaul 2, Oakland 0 pic.twitter.com/MuUKZBxmaA
— DePaul Men's Soccer (@DePaulMSOC) October 8, 2024
Oakland (3-6-2) would not go away quietly and answered with a goal of their own in the 87th minute on a throw in from the half line that materialized and caught the Blue Demons back line flat footed to trim the lead to 2-1.

DePaul put any doubt to rest when Padua rolled the ball forward for a charging Moore that beat the Grizzlies keeper 1-on-1 to make the score 3-1 for good.

84' » WHAT CAN'T HE DO!

Noeh Hernandez with his fifth goal of the season to widen the Blue Demons advantage.

DePaul 2, Oakland 0 pic.twitter.com/MuUKZBxmaA
— DePaul Men's Soccer (@DePaulMSOC) October 8, 2024
Demon Doings

The Blue Demons 23 goals on the season matches its most in a single campaign since 2016 (28).

Hernandez picked up his seventh assist of the season on Tuesday, tying him for fifth in DePaul's single-season record book. The sophomore midfielder now ranks first in the BIG EAST in assists.

Moore became DePaul's 12th unique goal scorer this season and found the back of the net for the first time since scoring his first career goal in September of 2022 also against Oakland.

With a goal and an assist on Tuesday, Pace ranks second with 11 points in 2024.

Freshman Jayden Waski tallied the first assist of his career against the Golden Grizzlies and owns three points for the season.

DePaul has scored three or more goals in four matches this season. The Blue Demons are 4-0 this season in such matches.

Davila increased his career save total to 50 in his 13th all-time appearance.

The Blue Demons moved to 5-1 in the all-time series against Oakland.

Up Next
The Blue Demons hit the road to Queens, N.Y. for a BIG EAST match at St. John's on Saturday, Oct. 12. Kick off from Belson Stadium is set for 6 p.m. CT with coverage on FloFC.

FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Men's Soccer, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X,Instagram and Facebook.

TICKET INFORMATION
Join DePaul Men'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! Fans can visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets for more information.