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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he DePaul men’s soccer team just couldn’t get it done against Western Michigan as they lost (1-0) and finished third in the Chicago Classic. The Western Michigan Broncos finished second while Loyola won the title.
The Blue Demons just couldn’t answer Western Michigan’s Nick Wyson goal in the 61st minute with the assist by Brandon Bye.
“I mean it was a corner kick and they won the first ball and we knocked it down,” DePaul Men’s Head Coach Craig Blazer said. “You know, I’m not sure why we weren’t able to get the rebound, but it just happens. From three yards out, they’re going to put that in but the initial knockdown they got and the second ball, I mean, credit to them.”
Although the game was close, Blazer believes that the back-to-back game in the less than 24-hours against Utah Valley had something to do with the team losing.
“We knew it was going to be difficult in a 24-hour turn around,” Blazer said. “I mean it’s not an excuse but it was the reality.”
It’s not that the Blue Demons didn’t have their chances, taking 11 total shots, but the Broncos had 12 shots and a 6-3 edge in the second half. They also had an advantage in corner kicks (5-4).
“You know, we didn’t find the back of the net and Western Michigan, they played well,” Blazer said.
Defense usually wins games and Western Michigan’s pressure was a reason DePaul struggled.
“We wanted the ball more, but we couldn’t get it. That’s because Western Michigan put pressure on us,” Blazer said. “We were making mistakes we usually don’t make, but you know two games in two days, we’re still heading in the right direction.”
Even though the game came at a disappointing loss, Blazer remains optimistic about the next game at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) at 7 p.m.
“We know how to defend and we know how to attack. We just got to rest and get our legs back underneath us,” Blazer said. “We go on the road to SIUE, they’re a very good team, but we know the things we’re good at. We just got to go back to it. We’ll be alright for next Saturday.”