DePaul Defeats Marquette Men's Soccer, 2-0

Sept. 8, 2006

MILWAUKEE - Chances were created and Marquette had significant scoring opportunities, but in the end, the Golden Eagles were handed a 2-0 setback to DePaul in the BIG EAST men's soccer opener for both teams.

DePaul scored both goals with in a three minute time frame. Forward Alex Mangan scored in the 23rd minute. The play began when Erich Reichmann, who was awarded the assist, played a shot from 20 yards that was deflected by MU defender Tim Jallow. The deflection came towards Mangan and into harms way. Mangan was free after his run onto the ball and struck the shot from around the penalty spot to the low left side of the goal, past MU keeper Matt Pyzdrowski, who was diving for the stop.

Three minutes later, Mangan scored his fourth goal of the year on a play that began from a throw in deep in the Marquette end. Patrick Hopkins sent a cross to the center of the goal mouth and Mangan leaped to re-direct the ball with his head to the far post.

"Our defense played poorly, especially in the first 20 or so minutes of the game," head coach Louis Bennett said. "In the heat of the game, they didn't problem solve quick enough. We looked adequate tonight, but when we looked inadequate, they got us for two goals."

Outside of the two goals, DePaul's offense was held in check. The Blue Demons had eight shots, many of which were from 15 yards or beyond. Pyzdrowski made two saves on the night.

"You look at it, Pyzdrowski didn't really have to do much tonight," Bennett said. "When he had to work, he had a difficult shot to stop."

But it was not all at the defensive end where opportunities were missed. Marquette had several opportunities, forcing DePaul keeper Brian Visser to make four saves. MU also had other dangerous opportunities that Visser didn't get his hands on.

Senior forward Matt Blouin had MU's best effort of the night. From three yards out, he placed a ball past Visser to the far post, but the ball caromed off the post, keeping Marquette (1-3-1, 0-1 BIG EAST) scoreless.

Substitutions also made a difference for Marquette. A first half sub, sophomore Jaime Zarse came in and placed a dangerous shot toward the DePaul goal late in the half. Freshman Michael Greene made his MU debut and nearly got on the board in the first half. With five minutes left, he placed a shot from seven yards out that Visser had to dive to stop.

"Blouin had a brilliant ball off the post from three yards out. How much better of a chance do you need than that?" Bennett said. "We're missing easy chances and that's the part we have to do right. We had three opportunities tonight where the goal was wide open and we couldn't put it in."

After a first half in which DePaul (2-2-2, 1-0) seemingly controlled much of the action, Marquette continued to make adjustments and seemed to be more the aggressor in the second half. Evidence to that was the seven second half corner kicks for the Golden Eagles.

However, Bennett said the team must finish those close in opportunities, despite putting pressure on the opponent with deep possession.

"Sooner or later, those 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-yard shots will start to go in," he said. "The reality is the ball will start going in the net when they start believing they will go in. For the guys that believe it, it will happen soon enough."

DePaul received a scare in the second half when Mangan had to be removed from the game on a stretcher. After a header of his that hit the post, he turned to run up field and unintentionally collided with an MU player. Mangan was taken to a local hospital for observation, but was alert and aware according to a DePaul spokesperson.

Marquette returns to action on Sunday, September 10 against USF at Valley Fields at 1 p.m.