Blue Demons Welcome No. 18 Akron to Wish Field Friday

CHICAGO – DePaul men's soccer returns to action for the first time in two weeks Friday, Oct. 2 when it hosts 18th-ranked Akron at Wish Field. Kickoff in Lincoln Park is set for 3 p.m. with live coverage carried on ESPN+. Admission is free for all DePaul soccer matches.

Demon Doings
The Blue Demons are 2-1-4 on the season and 0-0-1 in BIG EAST play, and they return to Wish Field unbeaten at home this year (2-0-1). DePaul has been removed from competition since opening the conference slate with a 1-1 draw against Xavier two weeks ago, after weather postponed last weekend's trip to Seton Hall. Against the Musketeers, the Blue Demons fell behind on a 61st-minute penalty kick before senior midfielder Noeh Hernandez hammered home the equalizer in the 89th minute, marking the fourth time this season DePaul has come from behind to earn a draw. Hernandez's performance earned him BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll recognition for the third time this season.

Hernandez has had his footprints all over the Blue Demon attack this season, leading the team with 14 points (five goals, four assists). His 2.00 points per game rank fifth in Division I and are tied for the BIG EAST lead. He has totaled two or more points in five straight matches, and his 57 career points are tied for sixth in program history. Junior Daniel Hickiewicz has four assists to his credit as well, joining Hernandez as a key catalyst in a DePaul offense averaging 2.00 goals per game. The Blue Demons' 2.71 assists per game rank 12th in the nation and third in the BIG EAST.

Scouting Akron
No. 18 Akron (5-1-2, 0-1-1 BIG EAST) enters Friday's match coming off its first loss of the season, a 3-1 defeat to No. 5 Georgetown last weekend. The Zips have spread the scoring this season, with 12 different players accounting for their 15 goals. Thomas O'Rourke, Jack Sullivan and Noa Testa are the only Zips with multiple goals, scoring twice apiece. Akron has also generated plenty of chances, firing 143 shots (17.88 per game), which ranks eighth in Division I. In goal, junior Brett Kaminski owns a 1.02 goals against average, and his four shutouts are tied for the BIG EAST lead. Head coach Jared Embick is in his 14th season leading the Zips.

Series Stuff
Friday will be the fifth meeting between the two programs since the Zips joined the BIG EAST as an affiliate member ahead of the 2023 campaign. Akron holds a 4-0-0 edge in the series.

A season ago, DePaul fell 3-2 to the Zips in a back-and-forth affair at FirstEnergy Stadium. After taking an early lead, the Blue Demons fell into a two-goal deficit at halftime before Daniel Hickiewicz equalized in the 66th minute. Akron earned the three points on the heels of a strike in the 88th minute.

Up Next
The Blue Demons are set to face a ranked foe for the second-consecutive match with a non-conference battle against No. 17 Louisville set for Tuesday, Oct. 6. First touch from Lynn Family Stadium is set for 5 p.m. CT.

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Blue Demons Welcome No. 18 Akron to Wish Field Friday

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Players Mentioned

Noeh Hernandez

Daniel Hickiewicz

DePaul University Athletics