DePaul Drops Physical Contest to Drake

Monday, September 2

Chicago, Ill.

2:00 P.M.

DePaul University

1-2-1, 0-0-0

Drake

2-2-0, 0-0-0

Drake

DePaul

9/2/2024 5:33:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

CHICAGO – In a highly-contested battle on Monday afternoon, DePaul men's soccer dropped a 2-1 decision to Drake in the 2024 home opener at Wish Field. After an uneventful first half for both sides, the Blue Demons opened the scoring in the 50th minute but could not stave off an undermanned and hungry Bulldogs bunch who knocked in a pair of goals in the final 20 minutes.

Sophomore forward Chase Stegall netted DePaul's tally, the first of his collegiate career while junior Ryan Thomas was credited the assist for his first point as a Blue Demon.

Drake (2-2) held an 11-10 edge in shots on the match while DePaul totaled a 5-3 advantage in corner kick opportunities.

In a back-and-forth match the two teams combined for 33 fouls and 12 yellow cards.

How it Happened
DePaul's first chance of the day came in the 23rd minute when Hernandez regained possession in the attacking third and fired from just outside the box forcing the Drake goalkeeper to make a diving save to his left.

The first corner of the match came in the 27th minute when Liam Mullins provided the pressure on the Bulldogs back line, but the Blue Demons could not capitalize.

In an ensuing corner in the 43rd minute Blue Demon center backs Christian Baumgartner and George Wyatt found the ball on their heads at point blank range but could not connect as the teams went into halftime scoreless.

In the second half, the Blue Demons' increased press paid dividends quickly as the Drake goalkeeper's failed clearance led to service from the left wing with Thomas finding an outstretched Stegall to hammer it home for the lead.

After a broken play in the midfield, Drake dispossessed DePaul and drove to goal where a slip pass to a Bulldog flanking in space evened the match at 1-1 in the 70th minute.

Drake netted the eventual go-ahead goal in the 80th minute from the penalty spot after contact in the box was deemed unnecessary when a driving Bulldogs forward was met with DePaul goalkeeper Santiago Davila who was looking to make a play on the ball.

The final 10 minutes saw the Blue Demons fire off two more shots and earn a pair of corners, but it wasn't enough to find a favorable result.

Up Next
The Blue Demons return to Wish Field on Sunday, Sept. 8 to host Wright State. Kick off is slated for 2 p.m. with live coverage on FloFC.

FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
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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.