Blue Demons Break Through in Final 45 for First Win

Thursday, August 20

Chicago, Ill.

4 P.M. CT

DePaul University

1-0-1, 0-0-0

Denver

0-2-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Denver	0	1	1
DePaul	0	2	2

Blue Demons Break Through in Final 45 for First Win

8/20/2026 7:55:00 PM | WOMEN'S SOCCER

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DePaul flips scoreless first half script to defeat Denver

CHICAGO – DePaul women's soccer turned a scoreless first half into its first win of the season Thursday evening, capitalizing on two second-half strikes from a veteran and newcomer to top the Denver Pioneers, 2-1. With the result, the Blue Demons move to 1-0-1 on the season and take a 1-0 lead in the all-time series against the Pioneers.

How It Happened
The Blue Demons and Denver Pioneers (0-2) spent the first 45 minutes in a scoreless deadlock that lacked in shot attempts — DePaul held a 2-1 edge — but abounded in high-intensity defending. It was critical halftime adjustments that unlocked the Blue Demon offense in the second half.
I told the team at halftime that if we're going to win the game, we have to find the weak side and find the open spaces, said Blue Demon head coach Michele O'Brien. Coming out of halftime, the team stuck to the game plan and executed it right away. For Dory Latenser to be able to draw a penalty kick was huge.
In the 47th minute, Latenser drew a foul in the 18-yard box, setting up senior midfielder Shayna da Silva for the penalty kick. The senior captain's strike found the back of the net, putting the Blue Demons on the board just moments after the second half kicked off.
Down 1-0, the Pioneers delivered a swift rebuttal as Denver's Camila Palacios found Kera Nguyen for the header goal in the 53rd minute, tying the score at one apiece.
Fifteen minutes later, it was freshman forward Katelyn Haiser who had the final say, notching her first collegiate goal with an impressive strike in the 68th minute.
Fielding a forward pass from senior midfielder Mackenzie Lee near the sideline, Haiser outran two defenders on her way to a one-on-one standoff with Denver goalkeeper Lucy Garnsey. Keeping composure, Haiser lifted the ball above the outstretched hands of Garnsey, netting the ball and propelling the Blue Demons to a 2-1 lead they would sustain for the rest of the match.
It's been really fun to have Katelyn on the team as we work to bring out her potential and play to her strengths, said O'Brien. She's super composed, and she's just a smart soccer player, so to be able to put all that together in a critical moment and find the back of the net is really promising for her.
By the end of 90 minutes, the Pioneers edged out the Blue Demons 9-6 in shots, but goalkeeper Mason Hillery delivered four critical saves to help seal the victory.

Match Notes

Haiser recorded the first goal of her college career in the 68th minute.
Da Silva's penalty kick marked both her first career attempt from the spot and the second goal of her collegiate career.
Mackenzie Lee tallied her first career assist on the pass to Haiser.
DePaul converted on two of its six total shot attempts, racking up five shots on target on the evening.
With two assists and a goal across two games, da Silva registered points in back-to-back matches for the first time in her career.

Up Next
The Blue Demons take their first road trip of the season to St. Charles, Mo., on Sunday, Aug. 23, where they will face off against Lindenwood. First touch is set for 1 p.m. CT.

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