DePaul University Athletics
Thursday, August 20
Chicago, Ill.
4 P.M. CT
DePaul University
vs
Denver
Blue Demons Look for First Win in Series Debut Against Pioneers
8/19/2026 11:50:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
DePaul takes on Denver, former program star-turned-coach in nonconference tilt
CHICAGO – DePaul women's soccer steps back into Wish Field for a Thursday early evening contest, playing host to the Denver Pioneers in the two programs' first ever meeting. The match is set to begin at 4 p.m. CT, with live coverage on ESPN+. Admission is free to all matches.
DePaul Debrief
The Blue Demons look to turn goal generation into three points in their second match of the season following a season opening 2-2 draw with the NIU Huskies on Sunday afternoon.
DePaul seized control early in the 2026 season debut, taking a 1-0 lead in the 7th minute with a corner kick goal served up by senior midfielder Shayna da Silva and finished by junior transfer Dory Latenser. The goal marked the Blue Demons' first of the season and Latenser's first score in a DePaul uniform.
Seven minutes later, NIU countered with an equalizer goal in the 14th minute before converting again in the 27th minute and leaving the Blue Demons at a 2-1 deficit at halftime.
After the break, a second half spark ignited the DePaul offense in the 51st minute, as another corner kick from da Silva set up senior forward Mya Gardner for the goal to knot the score at 2-2.
As time ticked down and both teams looked to break the stalemate, senior goalkeeper Mason Hillery came up with a critical save in the 86th minute. Facing an NIU player nearly one-on-one, Hillery anticipated the shot, executing a diving save to secure the 2-2 result.
Scouting Denver
The Pioneers head to Lincoln Park carrying a 0-1 record, continuing their road trip at DePaul after a tight 1-0 loss to Colorado State that followed a weather-cancelled opener at Northern Colorado.
At Colorado State on Aug. 16, Denver gave up the lone goal of the match to the Rams in the 70th minute, three minutes after Denver defender Keirra Venson was shown her second yellow card and the Pioneers were forced to play the final 23 minutes with 10 on the field.
With Denver down 1-0, Pioneer forward Shay Payne nearly found the equalizer in the 76th minute, but the shot hit off the post and Denver couldn't convert on any chances by the final whistle.
This season, the Pioneer roster looks different, as key playmakers Isabella Chidiac, Emma Thielbahr and Brooke Ahern are missing from the roster. Last season, midfielder Chidiac led her team with nine assists, while defender Thielbahr and forward Ahern each contributed four goals to Denver's attack.
Returners to the Denver lineup include midfielder Samantha Dreiling, who scored three goals and executed three assists in 2025, former All-West Region honoree Liv Moritz and defender Nora Zelazny.
Between the posts for the Pioneers this early season is sophomore Lucy Garnsey, who recorded five saves against Colorado State.
Series History
The Blue Demons and Pioneers share the field for the first time on Thursday, though Denver head coach Julianne Sitch is no stranger to DePaul athletics. A decorated Blue Demon defender from 2002-2005, Sitch ranks third all-time in goals (32) and owns career records in points (90) and assists (26). She was the first DePaul women's soccer player inducted into the DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.
Up Next
The Blue Demons hit the road for the first time this season, heading to St. Charles, Mo. on Sunday, Aug. 23 to take on the Lindenwood Lions. Action is set to start at 1 p.m. CT, with coverage on ESPN+.
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.
DePaul Debrief
The Blue Demons look to turn goal generation into three points in their second match of the season following a season opening 2-2 draw with the NIU Huskies on Sunday afternoon.
DePaul seized control early in the 2026 season debut, taking a 1-0 lead in the 7th minute with a corner kick goal served up by senior midfielder Shayna da Silva and finished by junior transfer Dory Latenser. The goal marked the Blue Demons' first of the season and Latenser's first score in a DePaul uniform.
Seven minutes later, NIU countered with an equalizer goal in the 14th minute before converting again in the 27th minute and leaving the Blue Demons at a 2-1 deficit at halftime.
After the break, a second half spark ignited the DePaul offense in the 51st minute, as another corner kick from da Silva set up senior forward Mya Gardner for the goal to knot the score at 2-2.
As time ticked down and both teams looked to break the stalemate, senior goalkeeper Mason Hillery came up with a critical save in the 86th minute. Facing an NIU player nearly one-on-one, Hillery anticipated the shot, executing a diving save to secure the 2-2 result.
Scouting Denver
The Pioneers head to Lincoln Park carrying a 0-1 record, continuing their road trip at DePaul after a tight 1-0 loss to Colorado State that followed a weather-cancelled opener at Northern Colorado.
At Colorado State on Aug. 16, Denver gave up the lone goal of the match to the Rams in the 70th minute, three minutes after Denver defender Keirra Venson was shown her second yellow card and the Pioneers were forced to play the final 23 minutes with 10 on the field.
With Denver down 1-0, Pioneer forward Shay Payne nearly found the equalizer in the 76th minute, but the shot hit off the post and Denver couldn't convert on any chances by the final whistle.
This season, the Pioneer roster looks different, as key playmakers Isabella Chidiac, Emma Thielbahr and Brooke Ahern are missing from the roster. Last season, midfielder Chidiac led her team with nine assists, while defender Thielbahr and forward Ahern each contributed four goals to Denver's attack.
Returners to the Denver lineup include midfielder Samantha Dreiling, who scored three goals and executed three assists in 2025, former All-West Region honoree Liv Moritz and defender Nora Zelazny.
Between the posts for the Pioneers this early season is sophomore Lucy Garnsey, who recorded five saves against Colorado State.
Series History
The Blue Demons and Pioneers share the field for the first time on Thursday, though Denver head coach Julianne Sitch is no stranger to DePaul athletics. A decorated Blue Demon defender from 2002-2005, Sitch ranks third all-time in goals (32) and owns career records in points (90) and assists (26). She was the first DePaul women's soccer player inducted into the DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.
Up Next
The Blue Demons hit the road for the first time this season, heading to St. Charles, Mo. on Sunday, Aug. 23 to take on the Lindenwood Lions. Action is set to start at 1 p.m. CT, with coverage on ESPN+.
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.
Players Mentioned
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