DePaul women's soccer: freshman Hanold sets school record, Blue Demons look for New Jersey sweep

October 10, 1:15 PMDePaul Blue Demons ExaminerSteve Cohen

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Temperatures creep lower and lower as winter approaches the greater Chicagoland area, and it appears that the goals against average of DePaul freshman goalie Claire Hanold is following suit.

After setting the DePaul school record with her eighth shutout of the season in last night’s 2-0 victory over Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., Hanold became the youngest player in team history to hold this goose-egg of an honor.

The talents of Hanold are evident in her 1.03 goals against average and 52 saves over 15 games this season, but she knows to give credit where she believes credit is due. Speaking to DePaulBlueDemons.com after last night’s tilt, Hanold gave a nod to the defense that sets up so well in front of the net.

"The defense was a huge help, and I couldn't have done it without them," Hanold said. "They were so solid, it was amazing. Really, the whole team played a part in getting this record.”

And it is no secret that the whole team has played a part in getting the Blue Demons in a position to end the season with a winning record for the first time since 2003, when the team tallied a 14-7-2 (6-3-1 in Conference USA) finish.

Currently in fourth place in the Big East’s National Division with a 8-5-2 record (3-3-0 in Big East play), the Blue Demons sit 7 points behind leader Notre Dame, which is ranked 8th nationally in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NCSAA) poll.

Sitting right behind Notre Dame in the standings is Rutgers, ranked 10th in the NCSAA poll. The Scarlet Knights also sit right in front of the Blue Demons as the two teams face off tomorrow at 12 p.m. CST at Yurcak Field.

Rutgers has only one win in its last four matches, but have won 5 of its last 8 (5-1-2). The Blue Demons have won four of its last six (4-2-0), so this match has added significance as only two points separate the teams in divisional standings.

This is the last road match of the regular season for the Blue Demons, and if the team can return home with a New Jersey-style sweep this weekend, the remaining matches against Providence (Oct. 16), Connecticut (Oct. 18), Georgetown (Oct. 23), and Villanova (Oct. 25) will have a much deserved home-field advantage.

Nine is the magic number tomorrow as the Blue Demons seek their ninth overall win on the heels of Hanold’s ninth shutout on the season.

Tomorrow's forecast for Piscataway, N.J., sets up perfect for a pristine fall afternoon with sunshine and temperatures in the mid-60s, but the Blue Demons would like to do nothing more than to cool off the red-hot Scarlet Knights with a road win in conference play.