Blue Demons Kick off BIG EAST Play

CHICAGO - DePaul men's soccer opens its 2021 BIG EAST schedule with a matchup versus Connecticut at Wish Field on Saturday afternoon. The conference opener is slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast live on the BIG EAST Digital Network presented by SoFi on FloSports.

The Blue Demons (4-2) and the Huskies (4-2) meet on Saturday for the first time since 2011. Both sides will be looking to gain the edge in the all-time matchup as both schools have claimed a pair of wins. 

DePaul and UConn both enter the match with 4-2 records after completing the bulk of the non-conference schedule. UConn dropped its BIG EAST opener to Butler, 1-0, last week. Meanwhile, the Blue Demons have won four of their last five games and enter the conference opener a week after a 3-1 Alumni Day win at Wish Field over Oakland.

NON-CON SUCCESS
DePaul wrapped up the main portion of its non-conference schedule with a 4-2 record after a 3-1 win over Oakland on Saturday in Chicago. DePaul's lone setbacks of the season came in the opener versus Loyola and last Wednesday versus UIC. 

BATTLE OF THE BACK LINES
DePaul and UConn both bring in strong defensive units for Saturday's match. The Huskies own a 4-2 record and have only allowed a pair of goals this season. Meanwhile, the Blue Demons haven't allowed a multiple-goal output since the season opener versus Loyola.

CONSISTENT CRUZ
Gandhi Cruz was named to the BIG EAST honor roll for the second time this season after his eight-save performance in the win over Oakland on Saturday. Cruz has now made six or more saves in three of his six starts this season. His 25 saves are the most in the BIG EAST.

RICHARDS' OFFENSE
Jack Richards is up to four goals this season after netting the game-winner versus Oakland. Richards' four goals are tied for the season lead in the BIG EAST. He's scored versus Loyola, Wisconsin, Bradley and Oakland so far this fall.

UCONN NOTES

• Head coach Ray Reid is in his 24th season at the helm of the Huskies program
• The Huskies have allowed only two goals this season. The goals came in both of UConn's 1-0 losses
• The Huskies are looking for their first road victory of 2021
• UConn posted a 1-6-1 record in its first season back in the BIG EAST in 2020-21. The Huskies were unable to claim a conference victory, going 0-6-1 in BIG EAST play
• Okem Chime leads UConn in goals this season, posting three goals through six matches. Jayden Reid leads the squad with four assists
• Jahmail Waite has posted four shutouts in net this fall. Waite has totaled 12 saves through 555 minutes in goal

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