First Half Fireworks Power DePaul Over Western Illinois, 3-1

Thursday, August 27

Chicago, Ill.

3:00 P.M.

DePaul University

1-1-1, 0-0-0

Western Illinois

1-1-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Western Ill.	1	0	1
DePaul	3	0	3

First Half Fireworks Power DePaul Over Western Illinois, 3-1

8/27/2026 6:00:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER

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Hernandez's multi-goal effort earns Blue Demons first win of the season

CHICAGO – Noeh Hernandez scored twice and Mason Kutch added a goal and an assist as DePaul men's soccer used three-first half goals to pick up its first win of the season, downing Western Illinois 3-1 Thursday afternoon at Wish Field.

The victory was marked by a true team effort, as seven different Blue Demons had goal involvement in the squad's home opener. DePaul made the most of its chances, capitalizing on all three of its shots on goal while holding a 13-10 edge in total shots and a 5-3 margin in corner kick opportunities.

How It Happened
It didn't take long for the Blue Demons to make their presence felt as Hernandez found the back of the net 39 seconds into the match for an early 1-0 advantage. Ronan Selbo played a ball down the touch line for Luca Iaccino to settle it and deliver to Hernandez to take a touch, fire and connect from just outside the box.

Hernandez added a second goal in the 29th minute to extend DePaul's lead as Kutch took a touch from Quinn Bedwell and played it on beautifully into space for Hernandez to finish and make it a 2-0 ballgame.

Nearly five minutes later, Kutch got a goal of his own to extend the lead to 3-0. The freshman took a ball from Daniel Hickiewicz and danced through the box, eventually finishing far post past the Leathernecks keeper.

Western Illinois (1-1-0) didn't back down, breaking through in the 37th minute on a throw-in headed out top and finished on a volley by Adam Reininger to cut DePaul's advantage to 3-1.

Neither side had great looks on frame in the second half, with the teams each firing three shots apiece through the first 30 minutes of the period. The Blue Demons played with a man-advantage for the final 16 minutes as Western Illinois was issued a red card in the 74th minute.

DePaul (1-1-1) remained aggressive, firing the final four shots of the match and earning a corner in the 90th minute but the scoreline remained as the Blue Demons picked up the victory on home soil.
Graduate goalkeeper Chance Johnson turned away three saves in his first start in net for the Blue Demons.

Match Notes

Hernandez scored his 17th and 18th goals of his career and his first two on the 2026 campaign. It marked the third multi-goal game of his career and first since bagging a brace versus Seton Hall Oct. 21, 2023, as a freshman.
The senior from Bridgeview, Ill. moved into 11th on the program's career-points list with 48 on his career.
Kutch continued his strong start to his freshman campaign with a goal and an assist on the afternoon, bringing his point total to five through the first three matches of 2026.
Four Blue Demons recorded the first assists of their collegiate careers: Quinn Bedwell, Kai Jorgenson, Mason Kutch and Luca Iaccino. Both Daniel Hickiewicz and Ronan Selbo picked up their second career helpers.
Christian Dionne, Matt Eger and Chance Johnson all made their first starts in a Blue Demon uniform while Jorgenson made his DePaul debut Thursday afternoon.
In the first meeting between the two sides since 2012, the Blue Demons improved to 3-5-1 against the Leathernecks marking the first win in the series for the scarlet and blue since September 3, 2005.

Up Next
The Blue Demons begin a stretch-run of three games over the course of seven days with a quick trip to Rogers Park to take on Loyola Chicago Sunday, Aug. 30. Kickoff from Hoyne Field is set for 6 p.m. with coverage on ESPN+.
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