September 20, 2012
PAUL POWER
Midfielder Amber Paul leads De Paul women past Billikens

CHICAGO - Amber Paul scored in the 51st minute to start the De Paul women on their way to a 2-0 win over St. Louis Thursday at Wish Field.

The game-winning shot was Paul’s third goal of the season, equaling her total from 2011.

"Elise Wyatt made a great run, turned and got off a nice cross," Paul said. "I was making a run in the box, slid and hit it in at the top of the six.

"I thought I should have scored more goals last year. What I bring to the game and one of my strengths is that I'm a shooter. I'm trying to shoot more this season."

Paul could tell the Blue Demons loosened up a bit after her strike early in the second half. "After that first goal, we seemed to raise the level of our energy," Paul said. "Once we got that goal, everyone was more intense."

DePaul (6-4-1) added some insurance with Brianna Ryce's second goal of the season in the 84th minute. A well-played through ball from Sara Brathwaite set up Ryce in the middle of the field. When St. Louis goalkeeper Katie Walsh came out prematurely, Ryce fired it into the upper middle of an empty net.

"We didn't get into a rhythm in the first half," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "At halftime, I told our players to pick up their competitiveness. We needed to play with more of an edge.

"That first goal was great. Elise did a good job turning the corner and sending the ball towards the goalie box. Amber had a great finish."

The Blue Demon backline of Sara Gorden, Kylie Nordness, Elise Wyatt and Ren Stoecklin closed down the Billiken offense in the second half as freshman goalie Alejandria Godinez picked up her first collegiate win.

"Our backline did a great job of staying disciplined," Chastain said. "St. Louis wasn't super dangerous today in the run of play."

DePaul outshot St. Louis (2-5-2) 17-6 and had seven shots on goal while the Billikens had just two. It was the first time the Blue Demons have beaten St. Louis in 12 meetings between the schools.

The Blue Demons are back in action Sunday in a BIG EAST Conference showdown with Pittsburgh that kicks off at 1 p.m. at Wish Field.