Hernandez Delivers in the 89th Minute as DePaul Battles Xavier to a 1-1 Draw

Friday, September 18

Chicago, Ill.

3:00 P.M.

DePaul University

2-1-4, 0-0-1

Xavier

4-0-2, 0-0-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Xavier	0	1	1
DePaul	0	1	1

Box Score (PDF)

Noeh Hernandez celebrates goal with teammates

Hernandez Delivers in the 89th Minute as DePaul Battles Xavier to a 1-1 Draw

9/18/2026 6:24:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Blue Demons overcome deficit for fourth time this season

CHICAGO – Noeh Hernandez delivered when DePaul needed it most, hammering home the equalizer in the 89th minute to earn the Blue Demons a 1-1 draw with Xavier in the BIG EAST opener Friday afternoon at Wish Field.

DePaul (2-1-4, 0-0-1 BIG EAST) trailed 1-0 after Xavier's Gun Ha Lee converted a penalty kick in the 61st minute, but the Blue Demons never backed down and kept the pressure on, holding a 14-11 advantage in second-half shots.

The Blue Demons outshot Xavier (4-0-2, 0-0-1 BIG EAST) 19-15 and held a 7-5 edge in shots on target. Xavier finished with five corner kicks to DePaul's four, while Chance Johnson made a season-best four saves in goal for DePaul and Jonny Mennell made six for Xavier.

How It Happened
The Blue Demons were the aggressors early on making great runs through the midfield resulting in quality looks. Freshman forward Quinn Bedwell had an early header on the doorstep before Hernandez had a shot from out top on target but neither connected.

In the waning moments of the first half, DePaul had some chances including a header from Kutch on the goal line that was tipped out high by the Musketeers goalkeeper for the first of consecutive DePaul corners.

DePaul outshot Xavier 5-4 in the first 45 minutes while corner kick opportunities were even 2-2.

The Blue Demons opened the second half with two quality chances, with shots at point blank range for Bedwell and Daniel Hickiewicz that were sent off target.

A ball played in from the corner by Xavier in the 61st minute grazed the hand of a DePaul defender, awarding a penalty to the Musketeers. Ha Lee converted from the spot to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

In search of the equalizer, the Blue Demons maintained their composure particularly in the final 10 minutes, putting together quality looks including a throw in into the box from Jordan Clagette that was headed out by a Musketeer to the left foot of Hernandez, who hammered it home far post to knot the score 1-1 in the 89th minute.

The Blue Demons kept the pressure on, finding another shot on goal with 30 seconds remaining but couldn't find the game winner as the two sides drew for the second-straight meeting.

Match Notes

With his goal Friday, Hernandez moved into a tie for sixth in program history with 57 career points.
His 21 career goals are tied for eighth all-time with Antonio Aguilar (2009-12).
Hernandez has totaled two or more points in five straight matches and collected at least a point in six of seven contests in 2026.
DePaul and Xavier played to a draw for the fifth time in the last six matches. The scoreline has been 1-1 in four of the five draws.
The Blue Demons have come from behind to earn a draw in all four ties this season.
With the result, DePaul remains unbeaten at home this season (2-0-1).

Up Next
The Blue Demons continue conference play with a road trip to Seton Hall Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff from Owen T. Carroll Field is set for 5 p.m. CT. Television coverage will be carried on ESPN+.

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