Early Goal from Western Kentucky Ends DePaul’s Unbeaten Record

Thursday, September 3

Chicago, Ill.

4 P.M. CT

DePaul University

3-1-1, 0-0-0

Western Kentucky

4-0-2, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Western Ky.	1	0	1
DePaul	0	0	0

Early Goal from Western Kentucky Ends DePaul’s Unbeaten Record

9/3/2026 7:31:00 PM | WOMEN'S SOCCER

Box Score

Blue Demons move to 3-1-1 with 1-0 defeat

CHICAGO – The DePaul women's soccer team suffered its first loss of the 2026 campaign on Thursday, Sept. 3, falling 1-0 to Western Kentucky after a 15th-minute Hilltopper score proved to be the difference. The result moved DePaul to 3-1-1 on the season.

How It Happened
The Blue Demons opened the match with the 3-0-2 Hilltoppers powering through physical play and high temperatures. It wasn't until just over four minutes had passed that Western Kentucky got the first shot of the match, but goalkeeper Mason Hillery was there to stop it, keeping the score level early.

The lone goal of the match played out in the 15th minute. Western Kentucky's Maggie Bellair took the first strike in front of goal, forcing Hillery to make a diving save. The save rebounded off Hillery's hands and to the feet of Makenna Egan, who drove the ball into the back of the net to give the Hilltoppers a 1-0 lead.

"We didn't have our best start today, and college soccer games are so tough and competitive," said head coach Michele O'Brien. "We just have to be ready from the get-go and be up for the physical battle right from the whistle."

By the end of the first half, Western Kentucky held a 7-0 shot advantage over the Blue Demons, and Hillery executed three saves.

Coming out of the break, the Blue Demons looked to even the score, generating six shot attempts that challenged Western Kentucky goalkeeper Mia Riddick to make two saves.

The Blue Demons' closest chance came in the 89th minute when a potential equalizer was called back for offside. The possession unfolded with a free kick from Shayna da Silva on the far side. As the ball traveled toward the high-traffic goal, Dory Latenser won possession and punched the ball into the back of the net. Latenser's goal was called off after review.

"I thought the second half was much better than the first half, and we did see some good soccer as we continued to battle and fight to get back," said O'Brien. "It was disappointing that the goal from Dory was called offside, but I thought that in the second half we competed harder and won more first and second balls."

Despite the late momentum, the Blue Demons were unable to generate another chance before the final whistle, suffering their first loss of the season.

"The message to the team after our first loss was not to get too high or too low, but to learn as a group and self-reflect to be better for Sunday," said O'Brien.

Match Notes

Mason Hillery recorded a career-high eight saves against the Hilltoppers.
DePaul notched all six shot attempts in the second half.
Carolina Capizzi and Emma Strcic led the team offensively, tallying two shot attempts each.

Up Next
DePaul heads to Loyola Soccer Park on Sunday, Sept. 6 to take on Loyola Chicago for the 18th meeting of an intense Chicago rivalry. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., with streaming available on ESPN+.

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