DePaul University Athletics: Weekend Showdown – DePaul Falls to Drake in Thrilling Des Moines Matchup

Des Moines, Iowa – DePaul men’s soccer faced a tough match against Drake, losing 1-0 on Saturday at Mediacom Stadium. This loss marked the Blue Demons’ first defeat of the season.

Throughout the game, both teams were well matched. DePaul (2-1-4) had a slight edge in total shots, with an 11-9 advantage, but only five were on target, just enough to equal Drake’s efforts. The Blue Demons also struggled with corner kicks, earning only two to Drake’s four.

Graduate midfielder Callum Watts and redshirt-junior Christian Baumgartner each took three shots for DePaul, leading the team’s offensive push.

In the opening of the match, Drake came out strong, launching the first four shots. DePaul started getting into the game when Daniel Hickiewicz had a shot blocked after a corner in the 11th minute. Baumgartner created the first serious attempt for DePaul with a header that was saved.

The first half saw no goals, and by the end of it, Drake had outshot DePaul 6-4. After halftime, Watts pressured the Bulldogs’ defense with three shots in quick succession, but none found the back of the net.

Things shifted in the 74th minute when DePaul lost possession, allowing Drake’s Crew Alvarez to score from close range. With only one more opportunity to respond, DePaul couldn’t equalize, sealing their first defeat.

Match Highlights:

• Luca Iaccino made his first collegiate start, playing 58 minutes.
• Santiago Davila matched his season-high with four saves.
• Callum Watts and Christian Baumgartner both tied their career highs with three shots.
• Freshman Nathan Laird gained valuable experience with a career-high of 45 minutes on the field.
• Historically, DePaul is now 0-1-1 against Missouri Valley Conference teams this season, and Drake leads the all-time series with a 14-6-1 record.

Looking ahead, DePaul will kick off its BIG EAST play against Villanova on September 19, streaming on ESPN+.

In recent times, college soccer has gained more attention, with schools investing in better facilities and training. According to a 2023 NCAA report, college soccer attendance is up by 12% compared to the previous season, indicating growing fan interest. Expert analysts believe this surge reflects a broader trend of increased youth participation in sports, hinting that future players could see even more robust support at the collegiate level.

To read more about NCAA soccer statistics and trends, you can visit the NCAA official site.

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