Richards' Goal and Dominant Defense Lead DePaul to 1-0 Win - DePaul Blue Demons

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at Bradley

9/10/2021 | 7:00 P.M. CT

MADISON, Wis. - DePaul men's soccer claimed a big road win versus the Wisconsin Badgers on Sunday afternoon in Madison, Wis. A second-half free-kick goal by Jack Richards was the difference in the match that saw the Blue Demons dig in and preserve the 1-0 shutout. Sophomore goalkeeper Gandhi Cruz made six saves and the DePaul defense denied the Badger attack all afternoon.

"I'm very proud of this team," said head coach Mark Plotkin. "So many guys were called upon today to contribute in a bunch of different ways, and they all stepped up."

With the teams settling in during the first half, the Badgers grabbed the first major chance of the match. Cruz made an outstretched save on the left side of the goal box to deny a dangerous Wisconsin attack. Cruz totaled three first-half saves and the teams went to the break with a 0-0 score. 

Richards lined up a free kick opportunity on the left edge of the 18-yard box after Marek Gonda was fouled on the attack. Richards' shot deflected off of the Wisconsin wall and into the upper portion of the net, breaking the scoreless tie. Richards' goal was his second of the year and put the Blue Demons on top for good.

However, closing out the win was not a breeze. DePaul dug in and turned away various Wisconsin attacks down the stretch. Cruz made three second-half saves and the Blue Demons defense dealt with seven Wisconsin shots in the final 45 minutes. 

"Gandhi Cruz came up big for us in goal and our back line was fantastic," said Plotkin. "We talked at length about winning habits after our last game and our guys are learning what it takes to beat tough teams like Wisconsin."

In the final minutes, the Badgers attacked the box with long crosses but each attempt was denied and DePaul held on to the 1-0 win. The Blue Demons are now winners of two straight and stay on the road to face Bradley on Friday.

KEY STATS

• Richards' goal was his second through three games this fall. Richards has now scored in four of DePaul's last five matches dating back to the 2020-21 season. The senior captain is tied for the team-high this season with Marek Gonda who has also scored twice.
• Cruz's six saves were a career-high for the sophomore. Cruz and the DePaul defense have allowed three goals through three games this season.
• The DePaul shutout was the Blue Demons' first since a 0-0 2OT draw against Loyola in Rockford, Ill. on Feb. 21 last season.
• Freshmen Nathaniel Enriquez and Julian Saldana both started Sunday's match, making their first-career collegiate starts.
• Wisconsin outshot DePaul 12-2 in the match but the Blue Demons found a way to complicate Wisconsin scoring chances, keeping the ball out of the back of the net.
• The DePaul win was the first over a Big Ten opponent since a 2-1 victory versus Northwestern in 2016.

 
UP NEXT
DePaul hits the road again this Friday to take on Bradley in Peoria, Ill. The Blue Demons will return to Wish Field in Lincoln Park to host UIC on Wednesday, Sept. 15.

For all of the latest on DePaul Men's Soccer, stay tuned to depaulbluedemons.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  

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