DePaul Draws NIU in Opener Behind Second-Half Strike

Sunday, August 16

Chicago, Ill.

4 P.M. CT

DePaul University

0-1-1, 0-0-0

NIU

0-0-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
NIU	2	0	2
DePaul	1	1	2

DePaul Draws NIU in Opener Behind Second-Half Strike

8/16/2026 8:26:00 PM | WOMEN'S SOCCER

Box Score Box Score

Blue Demons fight off one-goal deficit to reach 2-2 result

CHICAGO – DePaul women's soccer scored first and last in the team's 2026 regular-season debut late Sunday afternoon, fending off a one-goal halftime deficit to force the NIU Huskies into a 2-2 draw.

How It Happened
DePaul (0-0-1) got the opening goal of the match in the 7^th minute on a set piece, as captain Shayna da Silva found junior defender Dory Latenser on the far post on a corner kick. The Southern Illinois transfer did the rest, netting the goal and giving DePaul a 1-0 lead early in the match.

In the 14^th minute, NIU (0-1-1) took the momentum back, as Abby Foulk capitalized off a setup from Sarah Roy and evened the match at one apiece. The Huskies struck again in the 27^th minute, taking a 2-1 advantage on a feed from Mckenna Campbell-Turkalj and a finish from Julianna Hill.

Trailing 2-1 entering the second half, the Blue Demons wasted no time, as senior forward Mya Gardner headed in the equalizer on a second successful corner kick from da Silva in the 51st minute.

"The message we gave at halftime was to be patient and stay calm," said head coach Michele O'Brien. "That idea of not panicking resonated with the team and helped lead to a great goal. I thought it was great for us to be down at halftime so that we could prove that we can get ourselves back in games if we don't panic."

With the score even at 2-2, DePaul battled to secure the game-winner. Even after firing off 10 second-half shots and forcing NIU to make four saves, the Blue Demons couldn't break through, ending the match in a draw.

DePaul finished its season opener with a 16-6 advantage in shot attempts and a 9-1 edge in corner kicks.

"We have a lot to be proud of after this match," said O'Brien. "Going up a goal is great for us, and now we've got to find ways to be really disciplined and locked in, so we don't give up two goals. That was a little disappointing, but it's also great learning for the group. For our first game and home opener with a lot of new players out there, I think there's a lot to be proud of and a lot to be excited for this season."

Match Notes

Latenser opened her scoring account at DePaul, netting the first goal of her Blue Demon career in the 7^thminute.
Da Silva's two assists against NIU marked the first multi-assist match of her career.
The Blue Demons outshot the Huskies 10-3 in the second half.
Gardner has scored a goal in DePaul's regular-season opener in three out of her four years in the uniform. She netted one goal in the 2024 season opener, two in the 2025 season opener, and one this year against NIU.
DePaul's defense didn't allow any NIU corner kicks in the second half.

Up Next
DePaul hosts Denver at home on Thursday, Aug. 27, with first touch set for 4 p.m. CT.

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 X, Instagram and Facebook.