DePaul Falls to UConn in Second-Half Frenzy

Friday, September 20

Chicago, Ill.

2:00 P.M.

DePaul University

2-4-1, 0-1-0

No. 25 UConn

6-0-1, 1-0-0

UConn

DePaul

9/20/2024 6:10:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Huskies score three second-half goals to top Blue Demons, 3-2

CHICAGO – DePaul men's soccer fell to No. 25 UConn, 3-2, in its BIG EAST Conference opener at Wish Field, Friday afternoon. The Blue Demons held a 1-0 lead at halftime but ultimately could not contain the Huskies' offense, conceding three second-half goals.

DePaul (2-4-1) outplayed UConn in the first half, putting up ten shots to the Huskies' three. Freshman Nolan McGuire netted his first career finish in the 10th minute to give the Blue Demons an early lead.

UConn (6-0-1) responded with a quick goal in the 50th minute, halting DePaul's momentum. After trailing nearly half the match, the Huskies earned their sixth victory of the season, scoring in the 68th and 72nd minutes, thwarting DePaul's comeback hopes.

DePaul outshot UConn 14 to 11 in a match highlighted by three lead changes and two ties. However, five saves by UConn goalkeeper Max Kirkvliet proved to be the difference in Lincoln Park on Friday afternoon.

How it Happened

UConn's Eli Conway attempted the first shot of the game in the 7th minute, but the ball was deflected out of bounds, resulting in an early Blue Demons goal kick.

DePaul responded quickly, with Noeh Hernandez delivering a through ball to Nolan McGuire in the 10th minute. McGuire capitalized on the opportunity, placing the ball into the bottom left corner to give DePaul a 1-0 lead.

The Blue Demons sustained their offensive pressure in the 12th minute with a series of three shots. Two efforts ricocheted off the post, while the third was denied by UConn's Max Kerkvliet.

The Huskies sought an equalizer in the 15th minute as Michael Suski's shot deflected off the right post, leading to another goal kick for DePaul.

DePaul continued their attacking momentum with three more attempts in the 17th, 19th, and 21st minutes but were unable to convert.

As the first half came to a close, freshman Luca Iaccino took his first career shot, sending it over the goal and leaving DePaul with a 1-0 lead at halftime.

UConn capitalized with a 50th-minute equalizer by Conway, assisted by Mikah Thomas, bringing the score to 1-1.

Conway attempted another shot in the 60th minute from outside the box, but it was comfortably saved by DePaul's goalkeeper Santiago Davila.

DePaul regained the lead in the 67th minute when Keagan Pace headed in a goal from a cross by Nolan McGuire, pushing the score to 2-1 in favor of the Blue Demons.

However, UConn quickly responded in the 68th minute with Conway's second goal of the game, tying the score at 2-2 with under 30 minutes remaining.

The Huskies took their first lead of the afternoon in the 72nd minute as Conway completed his hat trick, giving UConn a 3-2 advantage.

DePaul continued to press, and in the 80th minute, Chase Stegall took a shot from outside the box, but it landed straight in the hands of Kerkvliet.

Despite a last-minute cross into the box, DePaul couldn't find the equalizer, and the match ended 3-2 in favor of UConn.

Match Notes

Freshman Nolan McGuire recorded his first career goal and assist.
Rolling Meadows, Ill. native Luca Iaccino made his collegiate debut and attempted his first shot.
The Blue Demons matched their season-high in total shots (14) and shots on goal (7).
Keagan Pace led DePaul with three shots on goal, doubling his season total.
Noeh Hernandez tallied his team-high fourth assist and added four shots, bringing his season total to 20.

UP NEXT
DePaul visits cross-town rival Loyola Chicago, Tuesday, Sept. 24 in Rogers Park. The match is set for 7 p.m. CT with coverage on ESPN+.

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! Single-game tickets can be purchased at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets.